Ticona has added continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites to its Celstran product portfolio.

The polymer manufacturer's new offering comes in response to the increasing demand for materials that are both light weight and able to withstand high levels of stress. Celstran thermoplastic composites comprise a range of continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics whose processing and properties can be adapted to special customer requirements. By using different thermoplastic matrix materials (PP, POM, TPU, PPS, PBT, etc.) and embedding various fibres (glass, carbon, aramid, stainless steel) along with the addition of additives, the material's properties can be tailored to suit specific requirements.

The broad range of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP) can be post-processed and formed using processing techniques such as winding or pressing.

Celstran thermoplastic composites are manufactured in a continuous process with unidirectional orientation of the reinforcement fibres with full impregnation. As a result, Celstran say that the prepreg tapes offer outstanding mechanical properties and good surface quality. At the present time, Ticona's standard portfolio includes 4", 6", 8", 10"-wide prepreg tapes. Individual solutions for special customer requirements are also possible.

"The implementation of lightweight structures is a growth field with very high potential. That's why, as a polymer producer, this step in the direction of thermoplastic composites not only makes sense but is also consistent," says Frank Reuter, Business Manager Celstran at Ticona.