General Information on Composite Materials

Composites from Past to Present

The idea of manufacturing composite products was born from the concept of combining two or more materials to create a higher-performance product. The first composite examples used for military purposes during World War II began to establish their place in world markets in the 1950s. From those days to the present, significant advances have been made in the development of both reinforcing materials and matrix materials. Rapidly developing composite materials have entered our lives, present in nearly everything we touch. Composite products exist in numerous sectors ranging from construction to automotive, from consumer goods to wind energy, from fiberglass-reinforced pipe production to maritime, from defense industry to space and aviation. Due to advantages in application such as high strength, lightweight, design flexibility, dimensional stability and corrosion resistance, the material has become the preferred choice of designers, engineers and managers.

Composite Material Production in Turkey

• In Turkey, the use of composite materials began with the Anadol brand automobile carport and polyester water tanks, • For many years, composite materials were produced using the traditional hand lay-up method; after an extended period, production began using more advanced technological methods, • Currently, the driving force of Turkey's composite sector is fiberglass-reinforced pipe production.

Global Demand for Composite Materials and Market Future

The future of the global composite market appears attractive with opportunities in transportation, construction, wind energy, pipes and tanks, maritime, consumer goods, electrical and electronics, aviation and other sectors. The global composite material market is expected to reach USD 38 billion by 2023 and grow at 4.1 percent between 2018 and 2023.

The primary drivers of market growth are:

• Increased demand for lightweight materials in the aviation, defense and automotive industries, • Demand for corrosion and chemical-resistant materials in construction, pipe and tank industries, • Demand for electrical-resistance and flame-retardant materials in the electrical and electronics industries, • Among emerging trends that directly impact the dynamics of the composite industry, we can cite the development of low-cost carbon fibers, high-performance glass fibers and rapid-cure resin systems.

Raw Materials Used in Composite Material Production

Composite materials are obtained by combining at least two components: resin and fiber reinforcement. Resin performs the function of transferring applied loads to the fibers and holds the fibers together. The bonding between resin and fiber is the most important parameter determining the physical and mechanical properties of the composite.

The resins used are: Polyester, Vinylester, Epoxy and Acrylic.

To obtain profiles with special physical and mechanical properties, catalysts, pigments, mineral fillers and other additives can be added to these two main raw materials. Organic peroxides are among such catalysts.

Organic Peroxides:

Chemicals that are activated by accelerators or heat and regulate the gel and cure of polyester resin and vinylester resin. They initiate cross-linking reactions between the resin and reactive monomers such as styrene.

Akpa Kimya as an Organic Peroxide Producer in the World and Turkey

Founded in 1997, Akpa Kimya has specialized in organic peroxides, initiators, accelerators and paint driers used in the composite, petrochemical and paints sectors. It carries out production operations at its facility located in Tekirdağ, Muratlı Organized Industrial Zone, which has 16,000 m² of covered space and 55,000 m² of open space. The facility includes R&D, Quality Control and Environmental Laboratories, standard and refrigerated warehouses and offices. The company's domestic and foreign sales, marketing, financial affairs, finance and logistics operations are managed from its headquarters in Istanbul. Additionally, in order to provide faster and timely deliveries to business partners within the country, a warehouse with closed space was opened in the Istanbul Kıraç district in 2018. Yusuf Eren Sogul - Export Regional Manager / Akpa Kimya