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The Aptiform moulding process has been specifically developed for the efficient manufacture of components from self-reinforced plastics, based on the results of extensive development work undertaken by NetComposites in collaboration with leading industrial companies and universities.
The unique forming process allows OEMs to benefit from the light weight, recyclability, high impact performance and low cost offered by self-reinforced plastics - a family of materials with both fibre and matrix made from the same polymer. These materials offer a unique balance of properties and cost, particularly suited to radio transparencies and ballistic components.
The family of materials includes self-reinforced polypropylene and PET, with developments currently being made in polyamides and polyethylene. Specific strength and stiffness are approximately equal to glass-reinforced polymers, whilst properties such as impact performance and radio-transparency far exceed conventional materials.
We're currently involved in component manufacture and product development in aerospace, defence, personal protective equipment, leisure craft, luggage and low volume automotive. The material benefits exploited by these sectors are radar/radio transparency, high impact performance/ballistic properties, weight and recyclability.
The Aptiform moulding technique is based on the results of extensive development work undertaken in collaboration with customers and materials suppliers, and there are only a handful of companies worldwide that have the ability to form this family of materials.
Aptiform is a brand of NetComposites.
Applications
The impact, weight, temperature and recycling characteristics of self reinforced plastics means that they are ideally suited to a wide range of applications in almost all industrial sectors. Moulded self-reinforced plastic technology is already used by leading companies in the following sectors:
- Construction - Shuttering and Formwork
- Sports and Leisure - Luggage; Loudspeaker Cones
- Automotive - Parcel Shelves; Exterior Panels; Liners
- Marine - Personal Watercraft
- Off-Road Vehicles - High-Impact Exterior Panels
- Protective Equipment - Safety Helmets; Ballistic and Injury Protection
Compared to incumbent materials such as GMT, GRP or ABS, self reinforced plastic mouldings typically offer significant performance advantages at similar or reduced costs.
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Consultancy
Aptiform
