Soft composite

Regarding their mechanical properties carbon composites can thus be classified as rigid composites [18,19] or soft composites—the carbon pastes - [20]. The composites are also classified by the arrangement of their... 

Used alone they give soft compositions and they are usually used in blends with other epoxide resins. Compared with unmodified rigid resins the blends... 

Commercial product Incorporation of a mineral oil extender, which gives useful rubbery properties, including very soft compositions 20% ds content polymer, which is totally amorphous... 

Conventional manufacturing and production processes do not generally lend themselves to mimicking complex architectures found in nature. Layered manufacturing methodology is a very effective way of exploring 2D layered mechanisms, common in the natural world. Artificial muscles and smart soft composite prototypes can be produced cheaply and efficiently (Weiss et al., 1997 Ahn et al., 2012), yetpose limitations in the realization of more complex 3D mechanisms that utilize fiber orientation. 

Another challenge in terms of molding and process technique is presented by hard-soft composites pairing thermoplastics with elastomers. Elastomers are superior to the thermoplastics when it comes to dynamic sealing qualities, temperature resistance, and useful life. The injection molds used in this process are cooled in the area of the thermoplastic cavity, whereas the cavities into which the elastomer is injected have to be kept within the cross-linking temperature range of 180-200° C. 

Morvan, J., Buyuktanir, E., West, J.L., Jakli, A., 2012. Highly piezoelectric biocompatible and soft composite fibers. Applied Physics Letters 100, 063901. 

AIF-Research Report (2001) Interface reactive two component injection molding for hard-soft composites, AIF-Vorhaben-Nr. 12116B (in German). 

---