Prepreg materials

A model has been developed for the prediction of the lay-up consolidation process during the lamination of prepreg lay-ups for the manufacture of printed circuit boards. This model can be used advantageously in prepreg material screening and in the optimization of lamination schedules for high-performance structural composites. 

Several basic problems can exist with a water based resin when manufacturing prepreg material. 

Shell Chemical has produced EPON HPT epoxy resins, which are used in large parts made of graphite-7 reinforced prepreg material for primary aircraft structures. EPON 9000 series of epoxy resins produced by the same company have been used for fabricating, by wet filament winding process, fuselages and other large components that have been used in the prototype of Beech Aircraft s experimental small business aircraft, the Starship 1. 

Long shelf-life of raw materials (prepreg materials have to be stored in a freezer and have reduced life when defrosted for use)... 

Figure 4.1 Basic production systenn for prepreg materials...

Morgan PE, Factors in providing quality carbon fibre prepreg materials. Paper 23, Proc 2 International Conference on Carbon Fibres, Plastics Institute, London, 1974. 

Orthotropic Having three mutually perpendicular planes of elastic symmetry at each point. Out-life Period of time prepreg material remains with unchanged properties, in handleable form outside of the specified storage conditions. 

Seal Spa., Legnano, Italy— was called Texipreg GmbH, manufacture a range of prepreg materials. 

Tencate Advanced Composites BV, Nijverdal, Netherlands—produce a range of Cetex prepreg materials. In 1999, acquired Bryte Technologies Inc. 

The family of PKs, also called polyaryletherketones (PAEKs), consists of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetheretherketone-ketone (PEEKK), polyetherketone (PEK), and polyetherketone-etherketone-ketone (PEKEKK). They share similar molecular structures based upon repeating ether and ketone groups in various ratios. Cost of the resins is high but, in RPs with high-performance fibers, there are many appfications in the aerospace and defense industries, electrical and atomic installations, and industrial and electronics products. Compoimds for injection molding are available, but the major area of apphcation is with thermoplastic prepreg materials, using mats, fabrics and/or continuous fiber. 

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