POLYMER TYPES
The matrix materials that are used as standard for COMFIL® are listed briefly below.
Most of them are semicrystalline. All thermoplastics could in principle be added to the list.
LPET
LPET is an amorphous thermoplastic polyester (PET type), which is modified to melt at 160-180° C. It is shaped and will wet the surface of reinforcement fibres at 200-230° C, and its maximum continuous operating temperature is around 60° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance. LPET-based COMFIL® materials are used in the industry.
PA6
PolyAmide 6, a good price/performance ratio. Easier to form and superior surface properties to PA66. Melting temperature is 220° C, forming temperature approx. 240° C and continuous use temperature 120° C. Areas of application: anti-ballistics, sports articles and automotive industry.
PA66
PolyAmide 66 , good price/performance ratio and therefore widely used. Transparent and black versions are available. Melting temperature is 260° C, forming temperature approx. 280° C, continuous use temperature 130° C. Used predominantly for sports articles, industrial applications and the automotive industry.
PBT
PBT (PolyButylene Terephthalate) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics. It has a melting point of 225° C, is shaped at 250-280° C, and its continuous operating temperature is around 110° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance. PBT-based COMFIL® materials are used in the car industry.
PC
PC (PolyCarbonate) is a standard polymer, although not often used in composites. It has a melting point of app. 225° C and is shaped at 240-270° C. Its continuous operating temperature is around 110° C. It exhibits excellent impact properties, clarity and pliability.
PE
PolyEthylene is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics. It has a melting point of 120°-145°C and is shaped at 150-200° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance. PE-based COMFIL® materials are used mainly in the car industry.
PEEK
PolyEtherEtheKetone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic with extraordinary mechanical properties and a high melting point. It has a melting point of 343° C, is shaped at 365-380° C, and its continuous operating temperature is around 250° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance. PEEK-based COMFIL® materials are used in the oil as well as in the aero industry.
PEI
PEI (PolyEtherImide) is an amorphous, amber transparent, high-performance thermoplastic with the characteristics similar to PEEK. Relative to PEEK, it is less temperature-resistant, less expensive, and lower in impact strength thermoplastic. It has a melting point of app. 350° C, is shaped at 370-400° C, and its continuous operating temperature is around 200° C. PEI-based COMFIL® materials are used mainly in the aero industry.
PEN
PEN (PolyEthylene Naphthalate) is a thermoplastic polyester. It has a melting point of 270° C, is shaped at 185-200° C, and its continuous operating temperature is around 155° C. Tg is 120° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance. PEN-based COMFIL® materials are used in the car industry.
PET
PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) is a thermoplastic polyester which has a melting point of 255° C. It is shaped at 280-300° C, and its maximum continuous operating temperature is around 130° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance and COMFIL® materials based on PET are suitable for a variety of end-uses.
POM
POM (PolyOxyMethylene) is a thermoplastic polyacetal which has good physical and processing properties and a melting point of app. 165° C. It is shaped at 200-230° C, and its maximum continuous operating temperature is around 130° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance to fuel, strong alkalis and alcohol.
PP
PolyPropylene is also one of the most commonly used thermoplastics. It has a melting point of 165° C is shaped at 185-200° C, and its continuous operating temperature is around 90° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance. PP-based COMFIL® materials are used mainly in the car industry.
PPS
PPS (Poly-Phenylene Sulfide) exhibits exceptional chemical resistance, very high temperature resistance and good mechanical properties. By virtue of its refractoriness, PPS may be used inside aircraft. Melting temperature is 280° C, forming temperature approx. 310° C and continuous use temperature 220° C. Applications: principally in aviation and industrial products.
PVDF
PVDF (PolyVinylDiFluoride) is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer which has a melting point of app. 170° C. It is shaped at 190-230° C, and its maximum continuous operating temperature is around 130° C. It exhibits high chemical resistance.