Materials KTN launches thermoplastic composites group

The Materials KTN has set up the Thermoplastic Composites Group, a move Dr Robert Quarshie, Materials KTN director, called “timely”.

“The setting up of this thematic group within the KTN is an indication that innovations in this area have progressed beyond academic research interests and ready for wide scale commercial exploitation,” said Dr Quarshie.

“The interest in thermoplastic composite materials is due to the advantages offered in terms of lower cost processing and adaptability to automation, post formability, fracture resistance and easier recycling.”

Dr Quarshie said he was looking forward to the “many exciting topics to be discussed by this subgroup within the Materials KTN”, a debate the he hopes will include “the availability of thermoplastic resins and the processing methods for fabricating the composites”.  

“For my part, I will commit to facilitate a review on the opportunity provided by thermoplastics in using 3D weaving techniques for fabrics, the related impregnation methods and the level of automation that can be achieved.”

[ Back ]