The evolution of thermoplastic composites: The road to highest lightweight potential in mass production

Abstract

Thermoplastic composites with continuous fibre reinforcements, sometimes also referred to as organosheets, come with excellent weight-specific mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness. Moreover, these materials are tough and allow short cycle times in part production. Also fuelled by the rapid development of Hybrid Moulding (forming & over-injection moulding in one operation), these materials are now starting to replace more traditional materials such as aluminium and steel. But there is still room for further improvement: the new group of neolaminates marketed under the brand name W8SVR from Huesker Synthetic are made completely from thermoplastic UD tapes, and have the potential to further improve the weight/performance ratio of thermoplastic composites, increase surface smoothness and reduce waste, according to Huesker Synthetićs Michel Jansen.