Composites
Toray and its partners’ in-situ VARTM technique. Photo Credit: Toray Industries Inc.
Toray jointly wins Infrastructure Maintenance award for steel pipe repair innovation
Together with Tokyo Electric Power Grid and Yasuda Seisakusho, Toray employed in-situ VARTM with carbon fiber sheets to repair steel pipe corrosion on transmission towers, with application extension underway.
Toray Industries Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) was one of three joint recipients to receive a Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award in the “Electricity” category for Japan’s sixth Infrastructure Maintenance Awards. Recognition goes to the development of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) technique employing in-situ vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) technology. Toray, Tokyo Electric Power Grid Inc. (Japan) and Yasuda Seisakusho Co. Ltd. (Tokoyo) used the technique to repair steel pipe corrosion on transmission towers.
The innovation eliminates the need for special jigs and methods in replacement work by reinforcing pitted and corroded pipes, thus also reducing lead times for strength assessments and cutting construction costs. Another key factor in receiving this award was the broad social benefits that could accrue from applying this technology to steel-framed buildings and other structures.
The patented in-situ VARTM technology entails placing carbon fiber sheets — Torayca carbon fiber fabric — on a steel structure requiring repair. A film is applied over the composite sheets, and a pump is used to create a vacuum to injection and cure the epoxy resin.
Applications to date for this technology include transmission towers in Japan and floating production storage and offloading facilities overseas. Work is underway to extend applications to repair and reinforce steel bridges, steel-framed buildings and other structures.
#composites #Toray #CarbonFiberSheets #repair
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Together with Tokyo Electric Power Grid and Yasuda Seisakusho, Toray employed in-situ VARTM with carbon fiber sheets to repair steel pipe corrosion on transmission towers, with application extension underway.
Toray Industries Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) was one of three joint recipients to receive a Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award in the “Electricity” category for Japan’s sixth Infrastructure Maintenance Awards. Recognition goes to the development of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) technique employing in-situ vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) technology. Toray, Tokyo Electric Power Grid Inc. (Japan) and Yasuda Seisakusho Co. Ltd. (Tokoyo) used the technique to repair steel pipe corrosion on transmission towers.
The innovation eliminates the need for special jigs and methods in replacement work by reinforcing pitted and corroded pipes, thus also reducing lead times for strength assessments and cutting construction costs. Another key factor in receiving this award was the broad social benefits that could accrue from applying this technology to steel-framed buildings and other structures.
The patented in-situ VARTM technology entails placing carbon fiber sheets — Torayca carbon fiber fabric — on a steel structure requiring repair. A film is applied over the composite sheets, and a pump is used to create a vacuum to injection and cure the epoxy resin.
Applications to date for this technology include transmission towers in Japan and floating production storage and offloading facilities overseas. Work is underway to extend applications to repair and reinforce steel bridges, steel-framed buildings and other structures.
#composites #Toray #CarbonFiberSheets #repair
> source
Composites
Photo
Vestas unveils circularity solution to end landfill for turbine blades
A novel chemical process, developed within the CETEC initiative with partners Olin and Stena Recycling, is capable of breaking down epoxy resin to virgin-grade material.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Aarhus, Denmark) is presenting a new solution that renders epoxy-based wind turbine blades as circular, without the need for changing the design or composition of the blade material. Combining newly discovered chemical technology developed within the CETEC initiative, and partnerships with Olin (Clayton, Mo., U.S.) and Stena Recycling (Frogner, Norway), the solution can be applied to blades currently in operation. Once matured, Vestas says this will eliminate the need for blade redesign, or landfill disposal of epoxy-based blades when they are decommissioned.
“Until now, the wind industry has believed that turbine blade material calls for a new approach to design and manufacture to be either recyclable, or beyond this, circular, at end of life,” Lisa Ekstrand, vice president and head of sustainability at Vestas, says. “Going forward, we can now view old epoxy-based blades as a source of raw material. Once this new technology is implemented at scale, legacy blade material currently sitting in landfill, as well as blade material in active wind farms, can be disassembled, and reused. This signals a new era for the wind industry, and accelerates our journey towards achieving circularity.”
Turbine blades have previously been challenging to recycle due to the chemical properties of epoxy resin, a resilient substance that was believed to be impossible to break down into reusable components. This has led to many technology leaders attempting to replace or modify epoxy resin with alternatives that can be more easily treated. Vestas’ solution is enabled by a novel chemical process that can chemically break down epoxy resin into virgin-grade materials. The chemical process was developed in collaboration with Aarhus University (Denmark), Danish Technological Institute (Taastrup) and Olin the partners of the CETEC project, a coalition of industry and academia established to investigate circular technology for turbine blades.
“The newly discovered chemical process shows that epoxy-based turbine blades, whether in operation or sitting in landfill, can be turned into a source of raw material to potentially build new turbine blades,” Mie Elholm Birkbak, specialist, innovation and concepts at Vestas, adds. “As the chemical process relies on widely available chemicals, it is highly compatible for industrialization, and can therefore be scaled up quickly.”
WindEurope expects around 25,000 tonnes of blades to reach the end of their operational life annually by 2025.
Through a newly established value chain, supported by Nordic recycling company Stena Recycling and global epoxy manufacturer Olin, Vestas will now focus on scaling up the novel chemical disassembly process into a commercial solution. Once mature, the solution will signal the beginning of a circular economy for all existing and future epoxy-based turbine blades.
Read: Moving toward next-generation wind blade recycling
For several decades, producing wind turbine blades manufactured with epoxy-based resin has been standard practice in the wind industry. In the most mature markets for wind energy, the first turbines are reaching the end of their operational life and this will increase over the coming years.
In addition, the new solution will provide Vestas with the opportunity to produce new turbine blades made from reused blade material. In the future, the new solution also signals the possibility to make all epoxy-based composite material a source of raw material for a broader circular economy, potentially encompassing industries beyond wind energy.
#composites #Toray #CarbonFiberSheets #repair
Photo Credit: Getty Images
> source
A novel chemical process, developed within the CETEC initiative with partners Olin and Stena Recycling, is capable of breaking down epoxy resin to virgin-grade material.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Aarhus, Denmark) is presenting a new solution that renders epoxy-based wind turbine blades as circular, without the need for changing the design or composition of the blade material. Combining newly discovered chemical technology developed within the CETEC initiative, and partnerships with Olin (Clayton, Mo., U.S.) and Stena Recycling (Frogner, Norway), the solution can be applied to blades currently in operation. Once matured, Vestas says this will eliminate the need for blade redesign, or landfill disposal of epoxy-based blades when they are decommissioned.
“Until now, the wind industry has believed that turbine blade material calls for a new approach to design and manufacture to be either recyclable, or beyond this, circular, at end of life,” Lisa Ekstrand, vice president and head of sustainability at Vestas, says. “Going forward, we can now view old epoxy-based blades as a source of raw material. Once this new technology is implemented at scale, legacy blade material currently sitting in landfill, as well as blade material in active wind farms, can be disassembled, and reused. This signals a new era for the wind industry, and accelerates our journey towards achieving circularity.”
Turbine blades have previously been challenging to recycle due to the chemical properties of epoxy resin, a resilient substance that was believed to be impossible to break down into reusable components. This has led to many technology leaders attempting to replace or modify epoxy resin with alternatives that can be more easily treated. Vestas’ solution is enabled by a novel chemical process that can chemically break down epoxy resin into virgin-grade materials. The chemical process was developed in collaboration with Aarhus University (Denmark), Danish Technological Institute (Taastrup) and Olin the partners of the CETEC project, a coalition of industry and academia established to investigate circular technology for turbine blades.
“The newly discovered chemical process shows that epoxy-based turbine blades, whether in operation or sitting in landfill, can be turned into a source of raw material to potentially build new turbine blades,” Mie Elholm Birkbak, specialist, innovation and concepts at Vestas, adds. “As the chemical process relies on widely available chemicals, it is highly compatible for industrialization, and can therefore be scaled up quickly.”
WindEurope expects around 25,000 tonnes of blades to reach the end of their operational life annually by 2025.
Through a newly established value chain, supported by Nordic recycling company Stena Recycling and global epoxy manufacturer Olin, Vestas will now focus on scaling up the novel chemical disassembly process into a commercial solution. Once mature, the solution will signal the beginning of a circular economy for all existing and future epoxy-based turbine blades.
Read: Moving toward next-generation wind blade recycling
For several decades, producing wind turbine blades manufactured with epoxy-based resin has been standard practice in the wind industry. In the most mature markets for wind energy, the first turbines are reaching the end of their operational life and this will increase over the coming years.
In addition, the new solution will provide Vestas with the opportunity to produce new turbine blades made from reused blade material. In the future, the new solution also signals the possibility to make all epoxy-based composite material a source of raw material for a broader circular economy, potentially encompassing industries beyond wind energy.
#composites #Toray #CarbonFiberSheets #repair
Photo Credit: Getty Images
> source
Composites
Toray and Takagi Seiko Corp. (Toyama, Japan) molded this large model member with a CFRF core and a CFRP skin. Photo Credit: Toray Industries Inc.
Toray develops rapid integrated press molding technology for CFRP mobility components
The process and material innovation simultaneously shapes, molds, thermosets and bonds the core and skin in the same mold, achieving this 10 times faster than conventional autoclave molding setups.
Toray Industries Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) has developed a rapid integrated press molding technology for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) mobility components.
This material sandwiches a light, porous short carbon fiber-reinforced foam (CFRF) core (fibers 5-10 millimeters long) with a specially formulated fast cure-type thermoset prepreg.
A combination of process- and material-based innovation, the technology reportedly makes it possible to press mold such components — a car roof, for example — 10 times faster than a conventional autoclave molding setup. Toray obtained findings for this technological advancement under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO) Research and Development of Innovative Structural Materials project.
CFRP members typically sandwich urethane foam cores with thermoset prepreg skins. Common applications for these light and rigid structures are large panels for aircraft, automobiles, ships and infrastructure. Some manufacturers have pushed for shorter manufacturing times to optimally bond the core after shaping it to the skin.
Toray confirmed that the skin-core interface did not delaminate and that impact absorption is excellent.
Toray’s new rapid integrated molding technology makes it possible to fabricate large panels in a single shot. Through heat and pressure, the approach simultaneously shapes, thermosets and molds, and bonds the core and skin in the same mold. Ultimately, synchronizing CFRF’s expansion with the prepreg’s curing timing is significantly faster than with conventional processes, Toray reports. The prepreg’s thermoset resin penetrates the porous CFRF to bond the skin and core materials without using adhesives, for a highly reliable bonding structure. Toray’s technology may pave the way for quick production of large CFRP components.
According to the company, CFRF offers significantly better strength, elastic modulus and impact resistance than conventional core materials. Its low specific gravity range of 0.2 to 0.4 can enhance performance and lighten sandwich structures. Toray demonstrated its concept by using a pressing machine to create a large automotive roof panel (1.2 meters long, 1.2 meters wide and 2.3 millimeters thick) in just five minutes. Core thickness before molding was 1.7 millimeters, and 0.8 millimeter after molding. The company assessed rigidity, coatability, sound insulation properties and other practical aspects for automotive production. In vital drop-weight impact tests, Toray confirmed that the skin-core interface did not delaminate and that impact absorption is excellent.
Read: Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France
Generally, Toray says it is looking to replace any panel component that its technology can be applied to, taking advantage of the innovation’s ability to create lightweight parts with high rigidity that also excel in impulsivity, sound and heat insulation.
Toray says it will keep pursuing R&D to accelerate the application of this technology to electrified vehicle parts, for which lightness and fast production are vital. The company also looks to cultivate such emerging transportation modalities as urban air mobility (UAM) and drones that benefit from functional, lightweight materials.
The technology is still in its development stage, but the company aims to commercialize it by 2030, offering a materials-based technology and a process-based
#composites #Toray #CFRP
> source
The process and material innovation simultaneously shapes, molds, thermosets and bonds the core and skin in the same mold, achieving this 10 times faster than conventional autoclave molding setups.
Toray Industries Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) has developed a rapid integrated press molding technology for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) mobility components.
This material sandwiches a light, porous short carbon fiber-reinforced foam (CFRF) core (fibers 5-10 millimeters long) with a specially formulated fast cure-type thermoset prepreg.
A combination of process- and material-based innovation, the technology reportedly makes it possible to press mold such components — a car roof, for example — 10 times faster than a conventional autoclave molding setup. Toray obtained findings for this technological advancement under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO) Research and Development of Innovative Structural Materials project.
CFRP members typically sandwich urethane foam cores with thermoset prepreg skins. Common applications for these light and rigid structures are large panels for aircraft, automobiles, ships and infrastructure. Some manufacturers have pushed for shorter manufacturing times to optimally bond the core after shaping it to the skin.
Toray confirmed that the skin-core interface did not delaminate and that impact absorption is excellent.
Toray’s new rapid integrated molding technology makes it possible to fabricate large panels in a single shot. Through heat and pressure, the approach simultaneously shapes, thermosets and molds, and bonds the core and skin in the same mold. Ultimately, synchronizing CFRF’s expansion with the prepreg’s curing timing is significantly faster than with conventional processes, Toray reports. The prepreg’s thermoset resin penetrates the porous CFRF to bond the skin and core materials without using adhesives, for a highly reliable bonding structure. Toray’s technology may pave the way for quick production of large CFRP components.
According to the company, CFRF offers significantly better strength, elastic modulus and impact resistance than conventional core materials. Its low specific gravity range of 0.2 to 0.4 can enhance performance and lighten sandwich structures. Toray demonstrated its concept by using a pressing machine to create a large automotive roof panel (1.2 meters long, 1.2 meters wide and 2.3 millimeters thick) in just five minutes. Core thickness before molding was 1.7 millimeters, and 0.8 millimeter after molding. The company assessed rigidity, coatability, sound insulation properties and other practical aspects for automotive production. In vital drop-weight impact tests, Toray confirmed that the skin-core interface did not delaminate and that impact absorption is excellent.
Read: Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France
Generally, Toray says it is looking to replace any panel component that its technology can be applied to, taking advantage of the innovation’s ability to create lightweight parts with high rigidity that also excel in impulsivity, sound and heat insulation.
Toray says it will keep pursuing R&D to accelerate the application of this technology to electrified vehicle parts, for which lightness and fast production are vital. The company also looks to cultivate such emerging transportation modalities as urban air mobility (UAM) and drones that benefit from functional, lightweight materials.
The technology is still in its development stage, but the company aims to commercialize it by 2030, offering a materials-based technology and a process-based
#composites #Toray #CFRP
> source
Dear Colleagues!
There are 12 days left until the start of the 15th Composite-Expo 2023 exhibition!
On the official website of the event, the current floor plan of the exhibition and the preliminary list of exhibitors have been updated.
There is still time to apply and take part as an exhibitor!
The exhibition will be held from 28 to 30 March in pavilion 1 of the Expocentre Fairgrounds.
You can get a free invitation ticket to Composite-Expo 2023 after registering on the website.
See you at the exhibition!
There are 12 days left until the start of the 15th Composite-Expo 2023 exhibition!
On the official website of the event, the current floor plan of the exhibition and the preliminary list of exhibitors have been updated.
There is still time to apply and take part as an exhibitor!
The exhibition will be held from 28 to 30 March in pavilion 1 of the Expocentre Fairgrounds.
You can get a free invitation ticket to Composite-Expo 2023 after registering on the website.
See you at the exhibition!
Composites
Photo
Dear friends!
Tomorrow, March 28, the main event of the composite industry in Russia, the 15th international exhibition Composite-Expo 2023, starts. Exhibitors and visitors will have three days of active communication at the stands and events of the business program. Venue: Pavilion 1, Expocentre, Moscow.
Exhibition opening hours:
March 28 and 29 - from 10.00 to 18.00
March 30 - from 10.00 to 16.00
• get an invitation card
• venue
This year, as part of the business program of the exhibition, there will be:
March 28-29: The 10th Anniversary Forum "Composites Without Borders" will be held for the first time as part of the exhibition
March 29: Fourth scientific and practical conference "Practical aspects of the use of composite materials in various industries" | conference program
March 28: Round table "Protection of intellectual property of manufacturers of composite materials" (visiting is limited, by prior registration) | roundtable topics
• exhibitors catalogue
• floor plan
See you at the exhibition and business program events!
#composites #CompositeExpo2023 #CompositeExpo #ExhibitionCompositeExpo
Tomorrow, March 28, the main event of the composite industry in Russia, the 15th international exhibition Composite-Expo 2023, starts. Exhibitors and visitors will have three days of active communication at the stands and events of the business program. Venue: Pavilion 1, Expocentre, Moscow.
Exhibition opening hours:
March 28 and 29 - from 10.00 to 18.00
March 30 - from 10.00 to 16.00
• get an invitation card
• venue
This year, as part of the business program of the exhibition, there will be:
March 28-29: The 10th Anniversary Forum "Composites Without Borders" will be held for the first time as part of the exhibition
March 29: Fourth scientific and practical conference "Practical aspects of the use of composite materials in various industries" | conference program
March 28: Round table "Protection of intellectual property of manufacturers of composite materials" (visiting is limited, by prior registration) | roundtable topics
• exhibitors catalogue
• floor plan
See you at the exhibition and business program events!
#composites #CompositeExpo2023 #CompositeExpo #ExhibitionCompositeExpo
Today is the final day of Composite-Expo 2023!
Leading industry players will be glad to see you at their booths.
Opening hours on March 30: from 10.00 to 16.00.
> free invitation
#CompositeExpo2023 #CompositeExpo #ExhibitionCompositeExpo #composites
Leading industry players will be glad to see you at their booths.
Opening hours on March 30: from 10.00 to 16.00.
> free invitation
#CompositeExpo2023 #CompositeExpo #ExhibitionCompositeExpo #composites
Dear participants, visitors, colleagues!
Three busy working days of the Composite-Expo 2023 and Polyurethanex 2023 exhibitions flew by unnoticed.
We thank all the regular exhibitors of our events, as well as the companies that decided to participate in exhibitions for the first time in today's difficult conditions!
We thank the visitors for their active interest in the exhibitions and the extensive business program within their framework!
The final information on the events (press releases, photos, feedback from participants, statistics, etc.) will be posted on the official websites in the near future.
The 16th International Exhibition Composite-Expo 2024 and the 15th International Exhibition Polyurethanex 2024 will be held from March 26 to 28.
Preliminary booking of booths is already open!
Three busy working days of the Composite-Expo 2023 and Polyurethanex 2023 exhibitions flew by unnoticed.
We thank all the regular exhibitors of our events, as well as the companies that decided to participate in exhibitions for the first time in today's difficult conditions!
We thank the visitors for their active interest in the exhibitions and the extensive business program within their framework!
The final information on the events (press releases, photos, feedback from participants, statistics, etc.) will be posted on the official websites in the near future.
The 16th International Exhibition Composite-Expo 2024 and the 15th International Exhibition Polyurethanex 2024 will be held from March 26 to 28.
Preliminary booking of booths is already open!
Composites
Photo
Anisoprint expands global presence with Shanghai office
New office located in the Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre enables Anisoprint’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific region.
Anisoprint (Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg), a provider of composite 3D printing solutions, has announced the opening of a new office in Shanghai, China. The office is located in the Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC), a state-of-the-art facility that provides access to cutting-edge 3D printing technologies and equipment.
The new Shanghai office will serve as a hub for Anisoprint’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, providing local customers with access to its 3D printing solutions and services. The office will also support the company’s existing partners in the region and facilitate the development of new partnerships with companies interested in leveraging the power of 3D printing to innovate and optimize their operations. The new location brings with it novel opportunities for R&D activities and further technology development with the support of local institutions.
“We are excited to open our new office in Shanghai and to be located in the AMTC 3D Printing Center,” Fedor Antonov, CEO of Anisoprint, says. “This move represents a significant milestone for our company, as we continue to expand our global presence and bring our cutting-edge 3D printing technologies to customers around the world. We look forward to working with our partners in the region to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.”
AMTC is a world-class facility that provides access to the latest 3D printing technologies, materials and expertise. The center is dedicated to driving innovation and helping companies explore the full potential of 3D printing. AMTC welcomes other 3D printing companies like BigRep, HP and Intamsys. The companies’ expertise aligns with a focus on innovation, sustainability and aim to drive the adoption of 3D printing in key industries.
Photo Credit: Anisoprint
#composites #Anisoprint #AMTC
> source
New office located in the Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre enables Anisoprint’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific region.
Anisoprint (Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg), a provider of composite 3D printing solutions, has announced the opening of a new office in Shanghai, China. The office is located in the Additive Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC), a state-of-the-art facility that provides access to cutting-edge 3D printing technologies and equipment.
The new Shanghai office will serve as a hub for Anisoprint’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, providing local customers with access to its 3D printing solutions and services. The office will also support the company’s existing partners in the region and facilitate the development of new partnerships with companies interested in leveraging the power of 3D printing to innovate and optimize their operations. The new location brings with it novel opportunities for R&D activities and further technology development with the support of local institutions.
“We are excited to open our new office in Shanghai and to be located in the AMTC 3D Printing Center,” Fedor Antonov, CEO of Anisoprint, says. “This move represents a significant milestone for our company, as we continue to expand our global presence and bring our cutting-edge 3D printing technologies to customers around the world. We look forward to working with our partners in the region to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.”
AMTC is a world-class facility that provides access to the latest 3D printing technologies, materials and expertise. The center is dedicated to driving innovation and helping companies explore the full potential of 3D printing. AMTC welcomes other 3D printing companies like BigRep, HP and Intamsys. The companies’ expertise aligns with a focus on innovation, sustainability and aim to drive the adoption of 3D printing in key industries.
Photo Credit: Anisoprint
#composites #Anisoprint #AMTC
> source