These new polyimide and basalt veils are part of TFP’s Optiveil range and have been developed specifically to expand TFP’s selection of high temperature materials.
The polyimide veil is the highest temperature stable polymer veil that TFP manufacture, with a maximum service temperature of above 260°C - significantly higher than other polymers such as polyester and PPS. The material was developed as a high-performance insulation material for space applications, designed to offer the temperature stability necessary to withstand missions to Mercury and the Sun, where spacecraft experience extreme temperatures.
The basalt veil has been developed as a more temperature stable alternative to TFP’s standard E and ECR glass veils. It is stable up to 850°C and retains its integrity when in contact with an open flame, making it suitable for applications requiring a fire barrier. Basalt, like glass, also has a high resistance to acid and alkali, which makes it ideal for use in corrosive environments.
As well as increased temperature stability these new materials also offer the uniformity and surface quality synonymous with TFP’s Optiveil and Optimat ranges, which include carbon, glass, metal coated, aramid, recycled carbon and thermoplastic nonwovens, to name but a few. This quality of dispersion makes the materials suitable for a wide range of composite applications including surface finish, improving resin flow, adhesive carriers and imparting functionality where required, in this case high temperature stability.
As well as these new Optiveil materials TFP will also be exhibiting some new Tecnofire developments for the fire protection of composite structures. Our latest E8AI Mat is formulated with AES fibre, which has a classification temperature of 1,100°C to 1,300°C and also offers improved temperature stability for fire protection applications. Other Tecnofire development materials on display include a lightweight intumescent veil for use in aircraft, which is incorporated into aerospace composites to improve the fire, smoke & toxicity (FST) with minimum weight addition.
To find out more about these new developments and the many solutions TFP’s nonwovens provide for composites visit stand P32 in hall 5 at JEC World 2020 from 3-5 March.
