Polymer composite materials with carbon or glass fibers reinforcements have been developed since years as alternative to metals in order to provide mechanical performance and weight reduction for structural parts in transport, building or sport industries. Composite pieces with complex geometries and high strength generally combine a thermoset resin with continuous fibers.
Today, in view of the current environmental challenges and the uncertain availability of oil in the future, a new strategy based on renewable resources needs to be evaluated. Within this context, the aim of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) MACOBIO project (2016-2020), is to develop high performances composites based on renewable resources.
For that purpose, Certech has acquired a two components resin transfer molding (2K RTM) equipment dedicated to the processing of fibers reinforced polymers (FRP). This process is adapted to peroxide cured resins like acrylate or unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) as well as epoxy or polyurethane resins. Thanks to its high injection speed (1 kg/min.), this equipment can produce parts with high mechanical properties in a few minutes. Using a mold designed for process optimization, critical features like curvature and thickness reduction can be evaluated and samples for mechanical testing can be produced.
