Hennecke invests in the future of fibre composite components

With a fully equipped 3-component metering machine of the type Streamline, polyurethane specialist Hennecke expands its performance capability in the field of research and development. The machine system features all the necessary requirements for the production of fibre composite components by means of a wide variety of matrix systems in the HP-RTM (High Pressure Resin Transfer Moulding) process. It is readily available to Hennecke customers at the in-house techcenter.

In the Hennecke Techcenter, operators can use both Hennecke’s state-of-the-art polyurethane processing technology and know-how to develop and optimize products and also to test raw materials and processes under close-to-production conditions. In order to give the 1,000 sqm research and development centre a greater performance capacity and further accelerate innovations, the company has recently invested in a tailor-made 3-component Streamline metering machine, which is able to process all current matrix systems of fibre composite components. These include polyurethane, epoxy or reactive polyamide 6 raw material systems.

“In the Techcenter, all reactive matrix materials available on the market can now be used to produce fibre composite components on a metering machine for the first time, The major benefit is that a variety of matrix systems incompatible with each other can now be processed in very quick succession, as the integration of three individual metering lines minimizes complex rinsing and cleaning processes”, explains Jürgen Wirth, manager application and development technology.

Hennecke thus responds to the ongoing trend of light-weight construction using fibre composite components. These usually consist of a fibres layer and a matrix material which surrounds the fibres and gives the component its solid form. Glass, carbon, aramid, metal and natural fibres can be used as fibres, for example. The thermosetting matrix systems may consist of polyurethane or epoxy resin. The reactive polyamide 6 is available as a thermoplastic matrix system. It is the only system, which ideally combines with the conventional injection moulding process.

“This opens numerous possibilities for the product development of composite fibre components in the groundbreaking T-RTM (Thermoplastic Resin Transfer Moulding) field of application”, Wirth emphasizes. Specifically for this purpose, Hennecke is able to provide customers in the Techcenter with an Engel injection moulding machine.

In the field of tool technology, too, Hennecke is excellently positioned. Various vacuum units, mould carriers and presses can be used to interact with the new metering machine, in order to guarantee an ideal process workflow. All mixhead systems available with Hennecke are also compatible.