TEXTILES.ORG
Chomarat, the composite reinforcement specialist group, has developed multiaxial glass non-crimp fabric (NCF) for thermoplastic composites. According to a report in Technical Textiles, the patented stitching yarn can withstand processing temperatures up to 400° Celisus, making it an innovative industrial solution for thermoplastic composites and alternative to the woven reinforcements used in the automotive sector.
Chomarat presented its latest innovations at the 2018 JEC World trade show in Paris. For the first time, Chomarat also exhibited a unidirectional carbon NCF reinforcement that is adapted to the productivity and performance requirements in the wind energy sector. With a unique patented stitching yarn, the glass NCF reinforcement (G-PLY) developed by Chomarat offers new possibilities in thermoplastic RTM and organosheet processes. This new heat-stable G-PLY reinforcement can withstand high processing temperatures without deformation and provides optimal mechanical performance.
Also for the first time, Chomarat is exhibiting an infusion-molded laminate made with 150 plies of its new unidirectional carbon C-PLY. This high-permeability NCF can be used to create extra-thick structures, in particular the wind-turbine blade stiffeners, or spar caps.
“Cost reduction is the challenge in the wind energy industry. Increasing the blade length by incorporating carbon stiffeners increases power, and so it also lowers the cost of the energy,” says Chomarat wind energy market manager Raphaël Pleynet.