The new name for NetComposites' Consultancy, Training and Innovation Services
The new name for NetComposites' Consultancy, Training and Innovation Services
Coventive strives to be one of the world’s leading specialists in applied composite material technologies.
Through our research, consultancy and training services, we aim to develop innovative, commercially successful composite materials, whilst helping our clients and partners benefit from better materials, processes and business opportunities.
Below are case studies which highlight our expertise in these fields.
Long natural fibre thermoplastic, injection-mouldable pellets are a composite of natural fibres (e.g. flax, hemp, jute) in a polypropylene matrix. They have been developed by Coventive as a cost-effective alternative to long glass fibre thermoplastic (LFT) products in, for example, automotive applications.
Automated tape-laying or winding using fibre-reinforced thermoplastic tapes has advanced significantly over recent years. This photo above demonstrates that it is now possible to wind engineering structures with variable diameters. One of the advantages of using thermoplastics is that such parts can be subsequently post-formed to create more complex shapes such as components with a 90° angle. The use of fibre reinforced thermoplastic tapes provides outstanding mechanical performance, a clean manufacturing process, low waste and a recyclable product.
GRP antenna shrouds and enclosures have been widely used by the mobile-telecoms industry for a number of years, due to their combination of RF transparency and design freedom. However recent concerns regarding the structural integrity of a number of existing installations have resulted in a series of inspection/replacement programmes being rolled out across the country.
Self-reinforced polymers (SRPs) are a particular family of thermoplastic composite materials in which both the reinforcing fibre and the polymer matrix are from the same polymer family (for example, polypropylene-reinforced polypropylene). This results in affordable materials that are extremely impact resistant - an essential property for body armour. SRPs can also be processed rapidly by compression moulding and are easily recycled at end-of-life.
