The spreading of fibre rovings uses the principles of rope friction: as a result, the individual filaments spread out and the original roving width increases significantly, depending on the type of fibre. The focus of the installed machine is the processing of 12K carbon fibre rovings, which can be spread from 10 mm to more than 17 mm tape width with the technology used. The spread rovings are then impregnated with a thermoplastic dispersion. The drying module is designed for up to 450°C, so that PEEK dispersions can also be processed. The system speed is up to 10 m/min. The end product achieves a fibre volume ratio of up to 60% and a tape width of up to one inch in the doubled state, wound up as a disc spool.

The successful start-up marked the end of an exciting project, whereby the installation is only the beginning of a long co-operation.

Organisations interested in comparable coating systems have the opportunity to collaborate with the Cetex Institut gGmbH and carry out material testing on a modular prototype line available at the institute’s technical centre in Chemnitz.

For further information, please contact Marcel Hofmann (Technical Sales) at hofmann@cetex.de.