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By Michael Lauzon
CORRESPONDENT
Published: July 16, 2014 9:12 am ET
Updated: July 16, 2014 9:16 am ET
AOC LLC has entered the thermoset-reinforced carbon fiber market by developing a line of epoxy vinyl esters.
The R058 series of resins is aimed at high-performance applications in the aerospace, automotive, wind energy, military and marine industries. AOC claims the new resins can create lightweight composites with exceptional strength-to-weight ratios.
AOC of Collierville, Tenn., said R058 combines the performance of epoxy resins with the processing speed of unsaturated polyesters. The series is designed for vacuum infusion and resin transfer molding and allows room temperature cure for laminates as thin as two millimeters. Unlike most pure epoxy resins, R058 materials don’t require post-curing or autoclaving, according to AOC business manager Mike Dettre.
Low viscosity provides shorter mold fill times and complete fiber wet-out, AOC claims. Low laminate heat generation helps surface aesthetics. Strength, toughness and chemical resistance are maintained over a wide temperature range. | |
