Huntsman Advanced Materials Offers One-Stop Resource
Huntsman Advanced Materials offers one-stop resource in
composite parts production
Hall 6 Booth L31
JEC World 2016, Paris
8-10 March 2016
Huntsman Advanced Materials is now improving processes, products and performance levels to deliver a one-stop resource for more efficient composite parts production.
As winner of an innovation award at JEC World 2016 and as partner in a second innovation award, the company is intent on demonstrating not only its reach across key markets and technologies such as Prepreg, Fast Resin Transfer Molding, compression Molding, Filament Winding and Pultrusion, but also its advances into the latest technologies such as Dynamic Fluid Compression Molding (DFCM).
Autoclave quality parts in less than a minute
Parts production with autoclave quality in less than a minute is possible by combining a new 30-second-cure epoxy with the novel DFCM compression molding technique: one-minute cycle times for structural components can be achieved – all without further post-curing.
In addition to providing the required process latency, the new resin system Araldite® LY3031 – Aradur® 3032 solution exhibits very fast demolding stiffness development, enabling drastic reduction in cure time. Its high elongation at break make it an ideal solution for impact resistant composite part production.
(2) Data generated with 1-2phr internal release agent
(3) 5°C/min
(4) Torsion mode, 2°C/min
(5) 50K UD, TVf 50%
Figure 1 : Typical thermo-mechanical property of the new 30-second-cure system
Figure 2 : Huntsman Advanced Materials fast curing solutions
The DFCM process completes the offer, targeting highest quality parts along with reduced void content of laminates. With typical porosity content of less than 1%, it is comparable to HP-RTM but also to autoclave prepregs as it delivers high fibre content, typically up to 65% by volume.
The overall proposition from Huntsman Advanced Materials has important cost benefit implications in high-volume applications such as those found in the automotive market, where thermoset technology for high performance structural parts is now readily available.
With the release of a new global offer for the automotive industry, Huntsman meets market demands for faster processing and reduced composite production cycles.
Summary of benefits from the Araldite® LY3031/AD3032 resin + DFCM process:
- One-minute part to part cycle time
- Fibre volume content up to 65% and Void-free parts
- Simple processing of heavy-tow industrial fabrics
- Reduced equipment investment (low pressure process)
- Reduced waste
- Complex (2.5+D) parts
Features and benefits of process simulation now illustrated by an App
The techniques of process simulation reduce risk to design engineers and manufacturers by offering an opportunity to explore, analyse, cost and predict outcomes before committing to a particular course of action.
Process simulation enables the innovator to challenge and check the composite process and ensure that technical advances can be exploited cost effectively. In the search for optimized production cycles, for example, the technique helps to evaluate critical parameters and optimise the cost/benefit ratio.
Huntsman Advanced Materials has released an App which offers insight on the content, techniques and value of simulation, illustrated by a number of case studies. Users of the App get access to all the basics of the approach through to specific examples of how a variation in process parameters might affect outcomes, for example in identifying the best injection temperature to minimise filling time.
The App features a question and answer ‘quiz’ feature which provides a valuable tutorial on simulation, delivered via an effective and readily available medium.
ARALDITE® 2033 structural adhesive reaches the highest level of fire safety standards for the rail industry
At the assembling level too, there are continuous improvements programmes which contribute to the one-stop resource and respond to the demands of key market sectors for higher standards.
In the rail industry, for example, fire safety standards continue to harmonise across international borders, bringing with them a more demanding performance level for all.
In its range of adhesives for composite bonding ARALDITE® offers a number of epoxy based solutions which combine high strength, with creep, chemical and fatigue resistance and also flame retardant capabilities.
ARALDITE® 2033 is a two component gap-filling epoxy adhesive with flame retardant properties that has surpassed the HL3 hazard level of fire safety testing under the rigorous unified Pan-European EN 45545-2 testing regime.
Classified in the combined R22 Interior and R23 Exterior category, it meets all requirements to achieve the HL3 level, with test parameters that include for instance, evaluation of spread of flame, ignitability, or smoke and toxic gas emissions.
Figure 3 : Average lap shear strengths of typical metal-to-metal joints (ISO 4587) (typical average values)
HL3 is the highest classification of requirements relating to fire and fume hazards dealing with the capacity of materials to self-extinguish and also low fume toxicity and opacity.
The latter characteristic has additional importance in relation to train operations in tunnels, underground systems and on extended enclosed journeys such as the Eurostar Channel Tunnel service.
ARALDITE® 2033 offers users in the rail industry a combination of performance and safety compliance to the highest level, with the HL3 designation providing a guarantee of effectiveness in the event of fire.
Conclusion
Huntsman Advanced Materials’ involvement with parts, processes and industries is based on a premise of continuous improvement that is undertaken in partnership with its customers and resellers with an accredited group of specialist distributors located in all the major markets.
From the micro-level, with specific product developments such as Araldite® LY3031 /Aradur® 3032 or ARALDITE® 2033, through advanced process improvements like DFCM to the kind of high value support exemplified by the Simulator App, Huntsman Advanced Materials is contributing to step changes in the efficient production of composite parts.
ENDS
www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials
About Huntsman
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2015 revenues of approximately $10 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 15,000 associates within our 5 distinct business divisions. The company’s unique portfolio includes a broad range of epoxy resins and formulated systems which appeal to companies working in challenging markets who want to be at the forefront of innovation and product development. For more information about Huntsman Advanced Materials, please visit our website at www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials
Forward Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and ncertainties that may affect the company’s operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. In addition, the completion of any transactions described in this release is subject to a number of uncertainties and closing will be subject to approvals and other customary conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such transactions will be completed or that the company’s expectations will be realized. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.
For press information only please contact:
Lester Dinnie/ Sue Colby
Tregartha Dinnie Ltd.
Ibex House
5 Keller Close
Kiln Farm
Milton Keynes
MK11 3LL
England
Email: ldinnie@tregartha-dinnie.co.uk and sue@tregartha-dinnie.co.uk
Sales enquiries should be directed by mail or e-mail to:
Alina Paduraru
European Marketing Communications Manager
Huntsman Advanced Materials (Switzerland) GmbH
K-401.5.77
Klybeckstrasse 200
CH-4057 Basel
Switzerland
Phone: +41-61-299 2429
Fax: +41-61-966 8130
Email: alina_paduraru@huntsman.com