The European RECOTRANS project has proven that in resin transfer molding (RTM) and pultrusion processes, microwaves can be used to optimize the curing process of composite materials to reduce energy consumption and shorten production time, while also helping to produce better quality The product. The project also proved that laser technology can be used to achieve a reliable connection between composite materials and metal, which can eliminate the riveted joints that increase the weight of the structure.
Through the combination of microwave and laser welding technology, the RECOTRANS project has developed a new thermoplastic composite material and used it to make new parts, thereby also studying the recyclability of this thermoplastic composite material.
Using microwave and laser welding to obtain recyclable thermoplastic composite materials suitable for the transportation industry
Integrating non-traditional manufacturing technologies such as microwave radiation and laser welding into the current resin transfer molding (RTM) and pultrusion production lines, the RECOTRANS project has obtained low-cost and recyclable products suitable for the transportation industry with high yields. Multi-material system composite materials. Compared with currently used composite materials, this multi-material system composite material reduces costs and energy consumption by virtue of a pultrusion speed of 2m/min and an RTM cycle rate of 2min (polymerization time is reduced by 50%).
The RECOTRANS project verified the above results by manufacturing 3 real-size demonstration samples, including:
In the RTM process, a thermoplastic composite material made of glass fiber and thermoplastic acrylic resin is obtained by integrating microwave technology. At the same time, laser welding is used to realize the connection between the composite material and the metal. In this way, it is produced for trucks. Sample parts of the cockpit rear suspension system.
In the c-RTM process, a thermoplastic composite material made of carbon fiber reinforced materials and thermoplastic acrylic resin is obtained by integrating microwave technology, thereby producing automobile door panels.
In the pultrusion process, a composite material made of glass fiber reinforced materials and thermoplastic acrylic resin is obtained through the integration of microwave technology, thereby producing an interior panel for the rail transit industry, composite materials and The connection between the metals is achieved by laser welding.
In addition, the project also uses 50% recycled materials to make a door handle demonstration part to verify the recyclability of the new thermoplastic composite material developed through microwave and laser welding technology.
Post time: Nov-11-2021