Composite – What is it
Composites materials are the ones that result from the combination of one or more reinforcement materials and a binding or matrix, without producing a chemical reaction between them.
In advanced composites, this reinforcement is usually in fiber form such as carbon, glass or Kevlar/aramid fibers, and essentially add strength and stiffness. The matrix are resins like epoxy or others, that essentially add structure to the composite material, filling the gaps between the reinforcement materials, keeping them in their relative positions and providing compressive strength, resulting in a final laminate or product with exceptional structural properties not present in the original materials.
Advantages
Light and strong
Advanced Composites are very versatile materials and offer advantages in many different ways, particularly because of their high strength and stiffness to weight ratio.
For example, carbon Fiber composite structures can be 4 to 10 times stronger than those made from metals while having only 20% of the weight or when compared to aluminum, have a similar weight but with twice the modulus and up to seven times its strength.
In industry, this unique ability that advanced composites have to achieve a high strength and stiffness to weight ratio allows increased energy savings and production cycle gains.
Optimized Structures
Fibers are oriented and layers are placed in an engineered stacking sequence to carry specific loads and achieve a precise structural performance, replacing the number of components and multi-part assemblies.
Other properties:
• Good Impact resistance
• Collision energy absorption
• Unique aesthetics
• Very high fatigue-resistance
• Corrosion resistance
• Good thermal insulation
• Low thermal expansion
• Multifuncional
Low weight
• Easier to handle
• Less vibrations
Corrosion Resistant
• Suitable for harsh environments
• No rust build-up
Low Rotational Inertia
• Faster speed changes
• Safer and faster emergency-stops
• Reduce/eliminate drive mechanism
• Reduce/eliminate web stretching
High Specific Stiffness
• Enables longer roller length
• Less roller deflection
• Reduced whip runout
• Decreased roller diameter
• Reduces rotational inertia
Higher Critical Speed
• Faster line speeds
• More production
Thermal Stability
• Faster line speeds
• More production