Lanxess Expands Tepex Composite Range

LANXESS is among the leading manufacturers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites for light and mechanically high-strength structural components with Tepex. The specialty chemicals company offers a range of composite products called Tepex flowcore for numerous variations of compression molding processes. This product line has been expanded and optimized. The new composites are designed as alternatives to thermoset sheet molding compounds (SMCs). While offering similar mechanical performance, they are considerably more ductile and, as thermoplastic systems, far more easily recyclable than SMCs. Processing is easier since they are molded and shaped purely by thermal means. Sabrina Anders, project manager for Tepex flowcore at the LANXESS High Performance Materials business unit, said: "We are targeting Tepex flowcore primarily for large underbody panel components in automobiles and load compartment wells, as well as components such as large enclosures and battery covers." The new plate-shaped composites are offered with a matrix based on polypropylene, polyamide 6, polyamide 12, thermoplastic polyurethane, or flame-retardant polycarbonate. The matrix is reinforced with long fibers rather than the continuous fibers found in Tepex dynalite. These are up to 50 millimeters in length and are distributed as cut fibers of constant length throughout the matrix. Tepex flowcore is offered with glass or carbon fiber reinforcement.