Metycore FS (Fire Shield) and the latest new product development, Metycoremax FS (Fire Shield) are both fire retardant RTM reinforcement fabrics, compatible with all major resin types. Another new product being promoted during JEC World 2017 is Metyx’s new range of ‘webbed’ carbon fibre woven fabrics. These new product additions to the company’s product range for producing composite parts, combine higher mechanical performance with key processing benefits to meet the high productivity needs of manufacturers in the automotive, transportation, marine, rail, wind energy and industrial markets.
New Metycoremax FS
Aimed primarily at the rail sector, both Metycore FS and Metycoremax FS are halogen free, sandwich design, stitched glass fabrics with a fire retardant core. These additions to the Metycore range of RTM reinforcements have been developed in-house by Metyx R & D team to meet the EN 45 545 fire standard, now the European ‘cross border’ rail industry standard for composites used in rolling stock. To validate the FR properties, laminates are currently tested at an EN approved independent laboratory. The testing in progress covers all the stringent fire, smoke and toxic fumes (FST) aspects of the EN 45 545 fire safety regulation. Results are expected within the first quarter of 2017.
Metyx’s new range of ‘webbed’ carbon fibre woven fabrics are for producing composite parts, combine higher mechanical performance with key processing benefits to meet the high productivity needs of manufactures in the wind energy, automotive, transportation, marine, rail, and industrial markets.
Metycore FS and Metycoremax FS will be produced at the Metyx plant in Istanbul, Turkey, available in the same published formats as traditional Metycore RTM glass fabrics; customized fabrics with additional glass layers, surface veils and biaxial skins are also part of the product range. Being part of the long established RTM fabrics family developed specifically for resin transfer molding (RTM), Metycore FS and Metycoremax FS offer proven quality and processing benefits. All Metycore fabrics have high drapability for a precise dry layup. During injection, the fabrics also enable rapid resin flow throughout the mold for quality and consistency, and to optimize productivity by reducing fill times, so lowering overall production costs.
New ‘webbed’ carbon fiber woven fabrics
A ‘webbed’ Carbon woven fabric is the other new addition to the range of carbon woven products manufactured by Metyx, which is being showcased for the first time at JEC World 2017. As the name suggests, this ’webbed’ fabric includes the addition of a fine layer of thermoplastic coating, which resembles a spider’s web, applied as a covering to the surface of the woven fabric. This addition stabilizes the woven fabric, making it less prone to deforming, which is a critical factor for a woven fabric during layup.
The web coating, which is uniformly applied and varied according to the fabric areal weight, ensures the stabilization of fibers during the cutting process, which results in clean cut and fringe free fabric edges. Thanks to its elastic nature, the webbed carbon woven fabric has very good drapeability, essential for complex parts. It is also thermoformable, which qualifies the fabric for preforming processes.
Expanded production facilities
Over the last two years, Metyx Composites has made major investments in its Hungarian production facilities in Kaposvar by expanding capacity and improving the services offered, with a special focus on EU customers. Metyx Composites Hungary now manufactures: high-performance multiaxial E-glass, carbon fiber, and hybrid reinforcements. Uğur Üstünel, co-director for Metyx Composites explains: “We started fabric production in Hungary in 2015 and now have an installed capacity of more than 3000 tons. In Hungary, we are producing both glass and carbon fiber fabrics. In response to our EU customers, we also invested in new equipment and skilled people so we can now provide a ‘make to order’ kitting service for fabrics and foam cores.”
In mid-2016, Metyx Composites also announced expansion plans, now well underway, to double the production facilities at its main manufacturing center in Manisa, Turkey. The expanded Metyx factory will include additional new production lines for both glass and carbon fiber multiaxial fabrics, additional kit cutting machines, and new CNC routers for composite plug and mold tool making.
Filed Under: Blades
