Materials & Finishes
Composite materials: the strongest bond
Using only the finest quality raw materials is the key to making our products last even longer and perform even better.
Understanding the materials, how they behave and how to process them plays a vital role in the creative phase. By constantly studying all the variables, we ensure that the finished products not only look spectacular but also deliver the best technology can offer.
We have two autoclaves and a hot press that reach the temperature required to melt thermoplastics.
Composites
Composites are materials made from two or more constituent materials with different chemical or physical properties that retain the original properties in the finished material. The aim of these combinations is to create a unique element (not found naturally) with remarkable technical characteristics.
A good example is reinforced concrete in which the steel reinforcing bars provide the structure where the concrete represents the “glue”.
Composite materials with fibres bound together by special resins have gained popularity because of their high rigidity, light weight, and outstanding resistance to temperature, impact, pressure, etc. They perform so well that they are used in all sectors in which applied forces are balanced to facilitate the highest levels of performance.
Prepregs
Epoxy prepregs with glass, carbon, or Kevlar or any other natural or synthetic fibre come in rolls of fabric which have been pre-impregnated with resin. The product is stored in freezing temperatures (-18°C) so that its properties remain unaltered. Prepregs are supplied as a semi-dry product, which softens with heat, so the catalysis is triggered at high temperatures from 60°C to 180°C, and up to the 250°C required for thermoplastics.
Prepregs contain two basic components: the fibres that provide the “structure” and the resins that represent the “glue”.
Composite fibres
Composite fibres are categorised according to the type of fibre, weave, impregnated resins, bonding technique and so on. They play an extremely important role in determining the strength, resistance, and rigidity of the finished product: fibres must counter the effect of external forces to absorb any impact and stress and redistribute them across the fabric.
Carbon fibre
Carbon fibre is mainly used to reinforce composite materials, especially those made of a polymer matrix. Materials produced in this manner are known for their high strength, light weight, and undeniable aesthetic appeal. This is why carbon fibre materials are widely used for so many different applications in which the weight and mechanical strength of an object are determining factors or in consumables simply for aesthetic-led reasons.
Characteristics: low relative density and low coefficient of thermal expansion, high strength and mechanical stiffness.
High performance kevlar fibre
Kevlar® is a high-tensile strength fibre that is five times stronger than steel. Applied to the high-stress points of a finished product, it can be combined with carbon fibre for mixed composite materials.
Characteristics: low density, and high resistance to heat, wear, and abrasion, which is why Kevlar fibres are widely used in all military applications that need to be bulletproof.
Glass fibre
In terms of value-for-money, glass fibre is undoubtedly an excellent compromise. It is formed by drawing glass into extremely fine strands and then treating them with chemicals. Many types of glass are used to make these fibres and the choice of glass depends on the intended application of the composite (chemical resistance, anti-radiation properties, greater elasticity etc.).
Characteristics: low production costs, low density, good mechanical strength.