Acota secures 3M Nextel ceramic textiles and fibres distribution

Acota has been appointed the Authorised Distributor for 3M Nextel Ceramic textiles and fibres, for the North Europe, in a move that consolidates and strengthens the company’s offering in the supply of speciality materials to manufacturers and industry.

Used in seals, gaskets, heat shields, furnace linings, Nextel is temperature resistant up to 1,300°C, resistant to thermal shock, fire and chemicals improving equipment reliability in high temperature environments - proven by their use in tiles on the NASA Space Shuttle.

Their alternate use is as structural reinforcement in a variety of polymer composites, as well as metal and ceramic, making them stiffer and stronger. Because of their strength, light weight and creep resistance it makes them ideal for use in Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC), Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) and Metal Matrix Composites (MMC).

Nextel is made of continuous ceramic oxide fibres, and is available in a variety of forms, including yarns and rovings, woven fabrics, braided sleeving and tape, chopped fibres and sewing threads.

Already the Authorised Distributor for 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, this consolidates the company’s position as a leading distributor for 3M in the UK and Northern Europe.

Steve Henly, managing director of Acota said: “We are delighted to offer customers the Nextel range of ceramic textiles and fibres. It brings a new dimension to our existing range of specialty materials and they offer a great solution for sectors requiring materials to work in extreme temperature environments such as aerospace, petrochemical and high temperature industrial, as well as the growing composites market. We have in-house technical expertise which allows clients to get advice on which products are most suited to their needs.”

Sean Appleton, 3M regional divisional sales manager added: “We have a long standing and successful business partnership with Acota. The unique experience and technical expertise of their team makes them an ideal partner to represent us for Nextel Ceramic Fibres.”

www.acota.co.uk