Thermoplastic Composites: Innovation by SMEs · Thermoplastic Composites: Innovation by SMEs Aldert...
Transcript of Thermoplastic Composites: Innovation by SMEs · Thermoplastic Composites: Innovation by SMEs Aldert...
Thermoplastic Composites:
Innovation by SMEs
Aldert Verheus www.lightweight-structures.com 16 December 2015, Brussels
Introducing myself
•! 1987: TNO Plastics and Rubber Research Institute •! 1996-2004: co-operation of Delft University of
Technology and TNO •! 2005: privatisation •! 2007: management buy-out with 2 investors to
expand from engineering to production •! 2014: sales of 50% shares to Russian entrepreneur
•! 2012: creation of CompTape B.V. as material supplier, again with Russian investment
2 16 December 2015, Brussels
Evolution of lightweight construction materials
Wright Flyer (1903) Fokker 8 (1927) wood / linnen wood / linnen / steel Boeing 7E7 (2007) DC-2 (1934) 60% composites steel / aluminium
16 December 2015, Brussels 4
Composites: plastics reinforced with strong fibres
Glass/polyester Carbon/epoxy not very lightweight lightweight
16 December 2015, Brussels 5
7.9 Mt composites vs 275 Mt plastics worldwide
Composites Plastics in total
(Sources: JEC and PlasticsEurope)
6 16 December 2015, Brussels
BMW i3 carbon composite body - heavy batteries
BMW partners with SGL to produce carbon fibre components at plants in Bavaria.
11 16 December 2015, Brussels
Automotive development: composite bumper beam
…. and other automotive components (after years of investigation): In general: 1. Without carbon fibre not that lightweight 2. With carbon fibre too expensive 3. Mass production technologies still under
development 4. At the end of the day volume probably too low to be
interesting to multinational material suppliers
16 December 2015, Brussels 16
!. which is good for SMEs!
•! Development of industrial applications
•! Overmoulding of composites
•! Re-design of injection moulded products: adding local reinforcement with tapes
•! Low-cost low-volume tape manufacturing: CompTape B.V.
16 December 2015, Brussels 17
applications