A new group of neolaminates marketed under the brand name W8SVR from Huesker Synthetic are made completely from thermoplastic UD tapes and have the potential to further improve the weight/performance ratio of thermoplastic composites, increase surface smoothness, reduce waste and cycle times.

Stiffness and tensile strength in composites are largely determined by fibre length and fibre orientation. Optimum values can be achieved by using continuous fibres which are completely stretched in the intended load direction of the component, so that tensile and compression forces can be absorbed directly by the fibre (fibre weight fractions up to 70%). Depending on the field of application as well as the individual customer requirements, neolaminates can be produced either by weaving (i.e. W8SVR Woven) or Automatic Tape Placement (ATP) of UD tapes (i.e. W8SVR X-Ply).

W8SVR X-Ply

The ATP process allows for design freedom in fibre orientation tailored to the customers’ needs. Expected forces can be absorbed in a load-compliant manner. This way, maximum mechanical performance is achieved at lowest possible weight. Additionally, it enables near-net-shape production of laminates. Compared to traditional organosheets, which are usually produced only in rectangular form, material scrap is reduced by up to 40%.

W8SVR Woven

Woven UD tape sheets have better draping properties and are therefore easier to form into complex geometries than cross-plied sheets. Compared to organosheets the use of wide and thin UD tapes results in significantly fewer undulation points and very little undulation depth. Therefore, W8SVR Woven achieves higher strength, higher stiffness and greatly improved surface smoothness.

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Huesker Neolaminates

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