High-Performance Non-Crimp Twistless Flax Fabrics Launched at Composites Europe 2010
- 10th September 2010
- Composites Evolution
- Reading time: about 3 minutes
Composites Evolution will be displaying the extended range of Biotex twistless flax materials at Composites Europe 2010, including a new +/- 45° biaxial fabric. The materials use a unique Twistless Technology to provide high levels of performance and processability normally associated with glass reinforced materials.
Biotex Commingled Flax/PP, Biotex Commingled Flax/PLA and Biotex Flax yarns, fabrics and preconsolidated sheets were successfully launched a year ago at Composites Europe 2009 and have been rapidly gaining acceptance in a range of applications.
2010 sees the introduction of non-crimp fabrics to the range, allowing higher performance and rapid material lay-down in hand lay-up, vacuum infusion and RTM processes.
The Biotex materials are based on twistless yarns with long, aligned fibres to exploit the inherent mechanical properties of flax in load-bearing applications, with the added advantage of having a lower weight than conventional reinforcements such as glass fibres. These materials offer far superior mechanical properties than those in injection moulded or press moulded parts where the natural fibres are generally short and randomly oriented.
These non-crimped materials are believed to be the first of their kind, and offer a combination of sustainability, performance and processability not previously seen in composites.
Sustainability
Flax fibres are renewable and have a low environmental impact during processing. The matrix in commingled Biotex Flax/PLA is also derived from crops, giving a 100% renewable material that can also be recycled or composted at the end of its life.
Performance
Using Twistless Technology, the natural fibres in Biotex yarns are highly aligned to give up to 50% better fibre efficiency over conventional twisted yarns. The yarns are also easier to impregnate, giving improved fibre/matrix interaction and better performance.
Processing
The twistless fibres in Biotex yarns allow fast wet-out and impregnation. Biotex Flax/PP and Biotex Flax/PLA commingled materials include an intimate blend of the reinforcement fibre and matrix polymer for easy processing by vacuum consolidation or press moulding.
Biotex Twistless Technology is backed up by 130 years of experience in spinning, weaving and finishing natural textiles, coupled with decades of experience in composite materials, processing and applications.
Biotex is at the Composites Europe Show in Hall 10-11 / stand B06 at this year’s Composites Europe show in Essen, September 14th – 16th.
About the author
Composites Evolution
Composites Evolution is a dynamic and agile UK-based manufacturer of prepregs for lightweight composite structures. We are dedicated to supporting our customers, and our goal is to be your number one partner for specialist prepregs, through world-leading innovation, sustainability, customer service and responsiveness.
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