TeXtreme’s grid fabric enables radio transmission through the weave
Carbon reinforcement technology specialist, TeXtreme has announced the latest addition to its Spread Tow products, the ±45 degree Grid fabric. According to the company, this version of TeXtreme Spread Tow fabric will enable use in new applications and markets.
TeXtreme Spread Tow Grid can be tailored to meet specific needs such as increasing torsional stiffness with minimum weight increase or enabling radio transmission through the fabric’s opening. The material can be used in monolithic structures as well as for sandwich skins in either a pre-pregged form or dry form for infusion. Its low areal weight of 21gsm means that this version of the dry grid material can be wet out by capturing excess resin from its neighboring pre-preg plies.
Even though the Grid fabric has designed gaps which resemble a lattice, its characteristics are similar to other TeXtreme Spread Tow reinforcements. By using the Grid fabric by itself or in combination with the other products in the TeXtreme family, optimised reinforcement can be created which enable customers to reduce the weight of their products without sacrificing mechanical properties, says TeXtreme. The grid fabric offers excellent stability, claims the company, while handling and can be either manually or automatically cut or handled while being pre-pregged in standard hot melt processes.
Andreas Martsman managing director, TeXtreme says: “We work in close cooperation with our clients, providing them with technical support which starts with selecting the optimal reinforcement structure and all of the steps up to and including the production process. During this support, we saw a demand for even lighter fabrics, so we decided to invest in and develop this new technology.”
TeXtreme Technology is flexible and tow-size independent. Manufacturers of advanced aero, industrial and sports products have consistently found that using TeXtreme Spread Tow carbon fabrics and UD tapes have enabled them to produce composite parts which are 20 to 30 per cent lighter with improved mechanical properties and superior surface smoothness, says the company.
