As a major player in the composite sector, Arkema will once again launch at this year’s JEC edition new adhesives solutions, advanced resins and show its range of semi-finished products. All innovations and product range are guided by the same goal: Innovative materials for a sustainable world.
A unique and patented toughening technology for composites and structural adhesives with Clearstrength® and Sartomer®
At the exhibition Bostik will be showcasing the Pliogrip range of 2-component polyurethane and epoxy structural adhesives for composite bonding. The Performance Adhesives team[i] at Bostik will be available to discuss the classic Pliogrip products as well as new innovative MDI[ii] Free technology for structural bonding applications.
Bostik will also highlight its newly launched R-SAF range, a new generation of recyclable structural MMA adhesives. This range can be recycled together with Elium® resin-based composites, through mechanical or chemical processes, allowing the Group to offer a unique solution for truly circular composites.
Finally, for the first time, Bostik presents the repair of a cracked bumper with Bostik® XPU20102 Ultrafast Black with low monomer, a solution that allows repairing instead of replacing and is thus fully in line with Bostik's approach to offer solutions that act as sustainability enablers.
[i] The Performance Adhesive Team: the Ashland Performance Adhesives team. Pliogrip is an Ashland Performance Adhesives product.
[ii] MDI : Methylene diphenyldiisocyanate
A unique and patented toughening improvement technology for composites and structural adhesives
The new core-shell additive Clearstrength® XT 151 will be introduced. It is an easily dispersible powder that provides high performance epoxy formulations with outstanding viscosity control and toughness. This new solution is part of the Clearstrength® XT powders range for thermoset resins offering:
- high durability
- the best dispersibility on the market for optimal properties
- optimized productivity
- reduced energy costs.
Arkema will also showcase the new Sartomer® Advanced tough liquid resins, ready-to-use solutions that can be easily incorporated, enabling formulators to reach a unique "high toughness/flexibility" trade-off for more durable materials.
The Sartomer® range of products also includes reactive thinners, crosslinkers and binders, as well as solutions based on renewable raw materials. These products improve the performance and reduce the VOC content of thermoset and thermoplastic composites, as well as bio composites.
Arkema partners with Continuous composites to disrupt manufacturing of composite materials
Arkema’s partner, Continuous Composites, will showcase their revolutionary Continuous Fiber 3D Printing technology, CF3D®, advancing the development of 3D composite manufacturing and leveraging Arkema’s N3xtDimension® photocurable liquid thermoset resins. Together, the two companies enable high-end materials solutions for strong, lightweight and high temperature structures.
Arkema composites are also semi-finished products
With its high-performance polymer Kepstan® PEKK, Arkema has joined forces with 9T Labs (Zurich), a start-up specializing in 3D printing and thermoplastic composites. 9T Labs has developed a technology to automate the manufacture of composites using additive manufacturing (AM), as well as advanced software algorithms.
Arkema’s range also includes overmolding solutions with Kepstan® PEKK grades reinforced with carbon fibers that can be transformed through injection. This technology combines the performance of continuous fiber composites with the geometric complexity that injection molding allows over short cycle times. The process also allows simultaneous stamping of the continuous fiber substrate, and the excellent cohesion between the composite and overmolded parts is ensured by the continuity of the Kepstan® PEKK polymer matrix.
Arkema also provides a range of semi-finished products in the form of unidirectional carbon fiber tapes impregnated with high-performance thermoplastic resins, grouped under the UDXTM brand.
The polymers used to make UDXTM pre-impregnated thermoplastics are Rilsan® PA11, Rilsan® Matrix PPA, Kepstan® PEKK, or Kynar® PVDF, depending on the application and performance requirements:
- 100% bio-sourced Rilsan® polyamide 11 provides durability, flexibility, and chemically and mechanically resistant solutions, especially to impacts. Target markets include sports and leisure, consumer goods, and transportation.
- Rilsan® Matrix polyphthalamide has very good mechanical performance even under hot and humid conditions. The main dedicated markets include structural automotive parts, transportation, and energy storage (gas storage tanks).
- Kepstan® PEKK has exceptional resistance to impacts, heat, and highly aggressive chemical products. The target market is mainly the aerospace industry.
- Kynar® PVDF thermoplastic resin has excellent mechanical properties, as well as strong resistance to corrosion and fire. The target market is mainly the oil and gas industry.
Elium®, the solution for recyclable composite
The Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin is perfectly suited to manufacture any composite parts and deliver the same performances as those made from thermoset resins with an added unique benefit: recyclability.
The world’s largest 100% recyclable blade made from Elium® thermoplastic resin has been successfully made this year within the ZEBRA consortium led by IRT Jules Verne. The Elium® resin is perfectly suited to the manufacture of large parts by resin infusion like wind blade. Composite components made of Elium® resin can be recycled using advanced recycling methods developed by Arkema. These methods are tested on all composite parts, including the waste generated by the production of this prototype blade.
The Ecoracer 769, a 7,8m long sailing boat, is eco designed and manufactured by Northern Light Composites. Using natural or recycled fibers, recyclable core and Elium® resin, the boat is easily recyclable at the end of its life, giving owners a new possibility to sail truly respecting the environment. The boat will be shown at this year’s JEC edition at the Industry Planet Hall 5 booth G97.
JEC World Innovation Awards finalists 2022
In partnership with Optimas Solutions and Somocap, Arkema has been selected as finalists in the Building and Civil Engineering category for the SOF Radlink Composite Radial Coupling - a system that enables the easy, quick, and safe connection of tunnel segments in underground infrastructure. The replacement of a conventional steel material solution by a full thermoplastic parts have been made possible with the Elium® resin using pultrusion and thermoforming. The SOF Radlink Composite Radial Coupling is visible on our booth during the entire show.
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