- Overmoulding of PAEK-based composite with fiber-reinforced PEEK
- Replacement of metal and thermosets, up to 60% weight savings
- Victrex at #JECEurope2015
Victrex has developed a new PAEK-based polymer and hybrid moulding technology which allows engineers to overmould a PAEK-based composite with fiber-reinforced PEEK injection moulding materials. This allows engineers to design stronger, lower cost components that are up to 60% lighter than typical metal and thermoset systems. By working together, Victrex and Tri-Mack Plastics Manufacturing Corporation have developed an aerospace bracket using this new polymer and technique.
Thousands of brackets in a plane, up to 60% weight savings
Commercial aircraft use thousands of brackets from the cockpit to the tail of the plane. The total amount of brackets on an aircraft can add a significant amount of weight especially if they are made from metal. The hybrid-moulded Victrex PAEK-based composite bracket is able to deliver up to 60% weight savings compared to stainless steel and titanium while offering equivalent or better mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, and fatigue.
Further applications:
This material-process combination is not only limited to aerospace designs. The overall mechanical properties, weight savings, and processing efficiencies offer a step-change for the Automotive, Energy, and Consumer Electronics industries as well. Victrex will be exhibiting its latest aerospace products at the upcoming #JEC Europe
Picture: Composite aerospace bracket using a newly-developed Victrex PAEK-based polymer and hybrid moulding technology (source: Tri-Mack Plastics Manufacturing Corp.)
