Review: "Prepreg Applications: CFRP & CMC"

Members of CU in Conversation

At the monthly "Jour Fixe" of the CU West cluster of Composites United e. V. (CU), companies and institutions present their technologies or projects on a current topic. Dr. Heinz Kolz, Cluster Manager of CU West, introduced the 25 participants and guests on April 15, 2024, to the topic "Prepreg Applications: CFRP & CMC" and led the discussion together with Dr. Hagen Klemm from the CU Fachnetzwerk Ceramic Composites. Prepregs enable machine processing in automated processes with uniform and high quality. In aviation, military technology, and many other applications, prepregs are indispensable. "Today, we want to exchange ideas with our speakers and with you about the status and prospects of this material," said Dr. Heinz Kolz in his welcome.

As part of the 25th Jour Fixe, the following companies / institutions presented their contributions to the topic:

• Schunk-Group

• Röder Group

• Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW)

Participating on our behalf: Jan Janzen (Research Associate for Digitalized Process & Material Development)

As a leading research institution in the field of composite materials, the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW) conducts research along the entire value chain, from material development to construction to the industrial manufacturing processes of fiber-reinforced components and parts. At all stages of development, the IVW acts as a service provider for the industry. Jan Janzen presented a development project for solid resin prepregs for an out-of-autoclave technology. The new material can be stored at room temperature without loss of quality, can be melted without curing, and is characterized by low viscosity shortly before curing. This combines the processing advantages of thermoplastics and thermosets. Partial impregnation in the form of a pattern ensures higher process robustness and low porosity. At the same time, gas evacuation is improved. The pattern application is currently done with a modified 3D printer with an extruder screw and hot end. In the future, powder application with the negative pattern will be done by screen printing. This enables large-area components. The process promises high process robustness and good possibilities for the production of three-dimensional parts. Mr. Janzen is available as a discussion partner for the development project in this area.

Interested in the contributions of the other speakers?
Here is the press release from CU: https://composites-united.com/rueckblick-prepreganwendungen-cfk-cmc-cu-mitglieder-im-gespraech/

In the discussion, the progress in prepreg technology was explicitly recognized based on the presentations of participants. The quality has made significant progress, according to Prof. Ralf Cuntze. According to the speakers' assessments, the current development suggests further progress in the coming years. This could open up additional application fields in various areas.

A major challenge for the coming years is the constantly growing requirements for recycling and reuse processes. Focus areas here include the effective recycling of complex systems (e.g., components with different polymers) as well as a comprehensive evaluation of the obtained recycled materials in terms of reuse potential, hazardous substance balance, and costs.

Moderation: Dr. Heinz Kolz, CU West, and Dr. Hagen Klemm, Ceramic Composites

The presentations from the respective events are available to members on Carbon Connected: https://www.carbon-connected.de/Group/CU.West/uebersicht

The contact person for your concerns and the event series is Dr. Heinz Kolz, Cluster Manager of CU West: heinz.kolz@composites-united.com