Composite plates: lightweight, stiff and strong

TECATEC PPS CW50 black (PPS CFK – Polyphenylene sulfide, carbon fibre-reinforced)

• Excellent high-temperature resistance


• Very good chemical resistance


• Very good dimensional stability over a broad temperature and humidity range


• Carbon fibre reinforcement increases stiffness and strength

• High continuous service temperature (170°C)


• Good electrical insulation


• Fire, smoke and toxicity retardant (FST)


• Glass fibre reinforcement increases the mechanical properties while keeping costs down

• Outstanding appearance thanks to crystal-clear, transparent matrix


• High impact toughness


• Carbon fibre reinforcement increases stiffness and strength

The new composite plates from Ensinger have densities between 1.5 and 1.8g/cm³, giving them a similar specific weight to unreinforced or short fibre-reinforced plates. Nevertheless, the reinforcing fibres increase their mechanical properties dramatically to a level similar to metal. Compared with unreinforced polymer plates, continuous fibre-reinforced plates achieve values that are 5 times higher for both tensile strength and Young’s modulus.

Low linear thermal expansion

Continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics exhibit extremely low coefficients of thermal expansion in a range around 5x10-6 K-1. This property is of great importance for applications in which the parts are subjected to temperature fluctuations over a broad range and where high precision is required.

Outstanding mechanical properties

The thermoplastic matrix gives the plates high impact toughness, with the value significantly higher than in plates with a thermoset matrix such as epoxy or phenolic resins. Moreover, the high elongation at break of the thermoplastics ensures tough, non-brittle fracture behaviour. For some applications, the intrinsic vibration damping of the matrix can also be a relevant advantage.

Made-to-measure plates

Ensinger produces the thermoplastic composite plates to customer-specific requirements, with maximum dimensions of 525 x 625mm. The manufacturer is also flexible when it comes to the plate thickness: in the range 0.5 to 95mm, any thickness is possible. Standard products are PEI with reinforcing woven glass fibre as well as PC and PPS with woven carbon fibre. Other matrix and fibre combinations, fibre architectures or customer-specific fibre lay-ups can be provided on request.

Fields of application

Fields of application for continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics include the aerospace industry, mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and the sports equipment sector.

In particular for the manufacture of prototypes and small batches, stock shapes are of interest as an affordable option for making small quantities.

www.ensingerplastics.com/en/thermoplastic-composites/plates