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CFT, USQ, Allnex working on pultrusion

14 Aug '19

2 min read

Pic: University of Southern Queensland

Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) is working with the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Allnex in a $10 million project to improve the productivity of ‘pultrusion’, the next big thing in manufacturing. The project has received a $3 million funding boost from Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) programme.

The three partners are creating advanced structures expected to capture new high value markets in the oil and gas and transport industries both in Australia and internationally.

USQ Polymer Composites researcher Dr. Xuesen Zeng said pultrusion created continuous lengths of composite material, ‘pulling’ fibre-reinforced profiles through a cross-section of die, resin and heating and cooling zones.

“It has been the manufacturing method of choice due to its ability to produce large sections in volume which are economical and consistent in quality,” Zeng said. “We’re increasing the productivity of the process, incorporating additives such as fire retardants, integrating braiding process with pultrusion, optimising injectable tools, and more.”

Wagners CFT is a pioneer in the use of composite materials in civil engineering around the world with projects using pultruded material in the UK, USA, and New Zealand.

USQ Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences executive director Professor Peter Schubel said investment by USQ in a production-ready Pultrex pultrusion line has allowed USQ to operate as the research arm of Wagners CFT, freeing up precious production time, leading to the development of new products in new markets with improved mechanical and fire performance.

“The integration of experimental and modelling capabilities will help increase productivity through higher line speed, and create structures that can compete on cost within Australia and in the global market,” Schubel said.

USQ is recognised worldwide for its track record in implementing research and development projects in automated fibre composites for civil infrastructure. USQ has industry relevant manufacturing facilities, material characterisation and structural testing facilities for research and commercial testing. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India