Solvay is cooperating with 9T Labs, an OEM of advanced manufacturing solutions, to help 9T Labs introduce carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components manufactured by additive manufacturing into mass production. This collaboration will enable 9T Labs' innovative additive manufacturing technology to be used to produce small and medium-sized components required by industries such as aerospace, medical, luxury/leisure products, automation, and oil and gas. Solvay will focus on the development of composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK), carbon fiber reinforced bio-based high-performance polyamide, and carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (CF/PPS). This cooperation greatly expands the types of pure and carbon fiber reinforced material combinations that 9T Labs can provide to customers.
"Using 9T Labs' innovative processes and equipment and Solvay's high-performance thermoplastics, we are able to solve the problems faced by manufacturers in many industries that have long tried to use advanced composite materials, that is, high incremental costs, high waste, and Reproducibility and traceability issues in high-output situations.” Relevant personnel said, “We are convinced that this cooperation will help solve many challenging problems and will open up new markets and large quantities for CFRP materials. Production and application opportunities."
Solvay provides an unparalleled high-performance thermoplastic polymer product portfolio and rich expertise in the production of thermoplastic composite prepreg tapes. As a leader in thermoplastic composites, Solvay has rich expertise in the engineering of production processes. Experience can ensure that this technology is seamlessly integrated into the production line.
"In the manufacture of structural parts, the application of metal materials is still very common, because the use of CFRP to manufacture structural parts is not cost-competitive." The relevant person said, "Our Red series platform combines Solvay's high performance and Recyclable materials will change this situation and make CFRP components more sustainable and cost-competitive, especially in mass production."
9T Labs' hybrid manufacturing technology can use carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials to produce high-performance structural parts, especially challenging small and medium-sized parts and thick-walled parts, with an annual output of 100 to 10,000 parts. By integrating 3D printing in matching metal molds (which can achieve short cycle time, high yield, high surface quality and low porosity, and high repeatability) (which can achieve excellent design freedom, component complexity and control Good fiber orientation) and compression molding, this hybrid production system best integrates additive manufacturing and traditional subtractive manufacturing.