A new technical laser managed to produce carbon fibers better and cheaper
October 1, 2010
A research of the Institute Fraunhofer group deTecnología of production (Aachen, Germany) presented at the JEC Composites Show 2010 an automated system for the placement of fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials.
In the system, carbon fibers are integrated into kilometers long strips of fusible thermoplastic resin. The resin is heated by a laser just before placing the fibers, then lamination is piled and compressed into a compact structure. In this way, the adhesive strip fuse with each other and cools quickly, as the laser quickly emits the precise dose of energy selectively. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute will also present a new technology based on the laser for the Union of thermoplastic reinforced with glass fibre.
A laser that emits infrared light is necessary to do so. The laser heats the surface of plastic components, if they are compressed when they are still in a fluid state and left to harden, the result is a very stable link. The new technique of Union is suitable for all thermoplastic materials that are subject to extreme stress.