Abstract:
The present invention relates to low or zero-tack composite materials such as pre-pregs and their use in automated manufacturing, particularly robotic pick and place. The present invention further relates to an automated process for preparing an article, particularly a moulded article, from a fibre-reinforced composition material.The moulded articles prepared by the process described herein are particularly suitable as components for transport applications, and particularly the automotive industry. The automotive components prepared by the present invention are particularly suitable as mid- or high-volume automotive parts, in which cost and speed of production are paramount. The present invention provides a process in which the cutting and handling of pre-preg materials is greatly simplified, providing advantages of efficiency and economy. The lay-up time according to the present invention is significantly reduced, allowing a reduction in the unit cost per component and/or allowing the high volume of component production desired in the automotive industry.
Abstract:
A laminar pre-preg of fibre-reinforced curable composite material. The pre-preg includes at least one layer of reinforcing fibres impregnated with a curable resin containing one or more curable thermosetting resin(s) and at least one liquid curative, wherein the curable resin exhibits a cure conversion of at least 95% when cured at a cure temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 160° C. and the cure cycle has a duration of no more than 10 minutes, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the curable resin when cured is in the range of from about 130° C. to about 165° C.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to low or zero-tack composite materials such as pre-pregs and their use in automated manufacturing, particularly robotic pick and place. The present invention further relates to an automated process for preparing an article, particularly a molded article, from a fiber-reinforced composition material.The molded articles prepared by the process described herein are particularly suitable as components for transport applications, and particularly the automotive industry. The automotive components prepared by the present invention are particularly suitable as mid- or high-volume automotive parts, in which cost and speed of production are paramount. The present invention provides a process in which the cutting and handling of pre-preg materials is greatly simplified, providing advantages of efficiency and economy. The lay-up time according to the present invention is significantly reduced, allowing a reduction in the unit cost per component and/or allowing the high volume of component production desired in the automotive industry.