High-performance carbon fiber–reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and hybrid additive manufacturing process lower production costs for advanced composite parts.

November 18, 2021

2 Min Read
Carbon Composite
Image: 9T Labs

Solvay is working with 9T Labs to help bring additively manufactured carbon fiber–reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts to mass production. The joint effort enables 9TLabs’ innovative additive manufacturing technology to produce low- to medium-volume size parts for the aerospace, medical, luxury/leisure, automation, and oil and gas industries.

Solvay will focus on the development of carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK), CF-reinforced bio-based high-performance polyamides, and CF-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (CF/PPS) composite materials. The partnership significantly expands the types of neat and carbon fiber–reinforced materials portfolio that 9T Labs currently offers to customers.

9T Labs’ hybrid manufacturing technology enables high-performance structural parts — in small to medium sizes and thick sections — to be produced in carbon fiber–reinforced thermoplastic composites in production volumes ranging from 100 to 10,000 parts/year. By combining 3D printing — offering design freedom, part complexity, and control of fiber orientation — with compression molding in matched metal dies — providing rapid cycle times, high production rates, surface finishes with low voids, plus high repeatability and reproducibility — the hybrid production system offers the best of both additive and conventional/subtractive manufacturing.

“With 9T Labs’ innovative process and equipment and Solvay’s high-performance thermoplastic materials, we are well positioned to address problems that have long plagued manufacturers in many industries trying to use advanced composites — namely high incremental costs, high scrap, and problems achieving repeatability and traceability at high volumes,” explains Marco Apostolo, Director of Technology at Solvay.

Solvay offers a portfolio of high-performance thermoplastic polymers and deep expertise in the production of thermoplastic composite prepreg tape. As a leader in thermoplastic composites, Solvay brings expertise in the engineering of production processes to ensure the technology can be integrated seamlessly into manufacturing lines.

“For the fabrication of structural parts, metals still prevail because the manufacturing of structural CFRP parts has not been cost competitive,” adds Giovanni Cavolina, 9T Labs co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer. “The Red Series platform in combination with Solvay’s high-performance and recyclable materials will change this and make CFRP parts more sustainable, accessible, and cost-competitive, especially at higher volumes.”

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