Teijin Carbon Europe introduces a new carbon fibre thermoplastic unidirectional pre-impregnated tape (TPUD) based on PPS. The new Tenax™ TPUD with PPS matrix allows entry in new cost sensitive markets while offering the typical TPUD advantages such as high resistance to chemicals and solvents, low flammability, storage or shipping at room temperature and recyclability.
Due to its flame retardant properties and low smoke emission, it can be used in interior applications of aircraft or rail vehicles, among others. The maximum continuous operating temperature is up to 220°C. Very low water absorption, excellent creep resistance even at elevated temperatures and high dimensional stability round off the property portfolio of this new TPUD.
The tape is therefore also suitable for demanding applications in the aerospace, oil and gas, sporting goods or industrial sectors, while remaining cost-effective. These properties make the product perfect for highly automated processing routes such as ATL or AFP in combination with overmoulding for complex geometries. Production start for the Tenax™ TPUD with PPS matrix is the first quarter in 2021.
For almost 10 years, unidirectional tapes (TPUD) have been manufactured from carbon fibres and thermoplastics in Heinsberg, Germany. The semi-finished products have so far been offered with PEEK or PAEK – and PPS is now added to the list of available matrixes. PPS allows a lower process temperature compared to PEEK or PAEK. For the industrial market in particular, increasing the production rate to make processes more cost-efficient is a milestone.
In order to meet the demand of a wide range of application areas, Teijin’s Carbon Fibre Business offers various types of Tenax™ TPUD These differ not only in the matrix, but also in the Tenax™ Carbon Fibres used with varying tensile strengths and moduli. This makes it possible to find the optimum product even for high technical requirements. Depending on the Tenax™ TPUD type, they are available in a variety of fibre basis weights between 100g/m² and 190g/m² on roll lengths up to 2,000 metres and in widths up to 24 inches. Typical applications include aerospace, medical, automotive and oil and gas. They are suitable for a wide range of processing applications. Rapid processing cycle times of a few minutes can be realised without any problems.
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