Thermoset composites
Rotor blade of a small wind power plant with load-adapted integrated sensor based on textiles, for a continuous, long-term monitoring during operation
Thermoset fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight design applications are combination of requirement-adapted, fiber-based materials with a duromer matrix system, based on epoxy, phenol or polyester. The liquid resin system is usually introduced into the textile structures by means of impregnation or injection methods. It wets the reinforcement fibers and is chemically cured afterwards. The properties of the thermoset matrix results in special advantages for their use in the production of fiber-reinforced composite materials, including:
- low viscosity and excellent impregnability,
- low curing shrinkage,
- high heat resistance,
- high rigidity and strength,
- low creep tendency,
- good chemical resistance, and
- good dielectric properties.
Monocoque – Complex-shape component based on thermoset resin systems
Especially for the realization of highly stressed, complex-shape components based on thermoset resin systems, a requirement-adapted design and production of the textile reinforcement structures is necessary. This requires an integral view of the entire process chain. Apart from load and geometry requirements, the ITM also considers the influences of component production processes and possible post-processing steps when developing and designed the reinforcement structures themselves and method for their production. This way, the textile reinforcement structures are adapted specifically, and a defined setting for permeability becomes possible, to achieve a complete impregnation of all reinforcement fibers at short cycle times for the production of FRPC components.
Thanks to extensive research efforts, the ITM has excellent know-how regarding the development and realization of simulation-assisted process chains for the production and processing of textile structures for thermoset components and component groups with specifically adjusted material and component properties based on hand lamination, vacuum infusion, and the RTM method. The ITM will be happy to support your developments in the fields of textile structures and the design of component production processes for the manufacture of thermoset 2D or 3D fiber-reinforced composite components in complex designs.
Contact person:
Mr Prof. Dr.-Ing. Chokri Cherif
Head of the Textiles for Lightweight Construction research group
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