Can Composite Materials and Plastics Really Help the Environment?

Tags

high density materials, radiation shielding materials, thermoplastic composite materials

Food. Transportation. Fashion. Travel. Just about everything we do today somehow ends up hurting the planet even further. Plastic, one of the most useful, yet one of the most disastrous creations of man, has often been held responsible for damaging the environment and causing pollution. In fact, more advanced forms of plastic such as composite materials and engineered thermoplastics have often been at the receiving end of hate and anger as well. And considering the kind of pollution that plastic really does lead to, you’d think that saying no to plastic is the right thing to do. Is it?

Everything might not be as doomy and gloomy as your favorite news outlets would have you believe. The American Chemistry Council released a report prepared by a firm called Trucost in the month of July titled “Plastics and Sustainability: A Valuation of Environmental Benefits, Costs and Opportunities for Continuous Improvement”.

The firm behind this report was responsible for creating a high-profile study for the UN Environment Program back in the year 2014, and they decided to use the same methodologies and metrics used for accounting for this report as well. What the report essentially tries to point out is that while there is no denying the fact that plastics because irreparable damage the environment, the environmental cost of replacing plastics with alternative materials has been projected to be four times worse.

In fact, the firm projects environmental costs to increase to $533 billion (rising from $139 billion). This cost takes into account transportation, energy recovery costs, production costs, ocean damage and recycling. So do we keep increasing the use of conventional plastic? Certainly not! The study offers key recommendations which could help reduce the environmental costs by 41 billion dollars. These recommendations revolve around using engineered thermoplastics, natural sources of energy such as hydro-electric, wind and solar, by using more fuel-efficient modes of transport and also by reducing certain materials used in food, ice and soft drink packaging by 30 percent.

The study further delves into the benefits that plastics have to offer in terms of reduction of food waste. A food item wrapped in plastic can last for a longer period of time, thereby helping to somewhat dampen the ever-increasing pressure on food growers. You may have often seen sirloin steaks, potatoes, cucumbers and lettuce wrapped in plastics, and now you know why. It is believed that for every 1% sirloin that is packed in composite materials instead of conventional plastics, the environmental damage can be reduced by as much as $2.2 million.

Plastics may be challenging the environment, pushing it to the extreme, but a lot of that can be put down to human misuse of the material. And yes, even though it does harm the environment, there are other materials that do too. What we ultimately need to decide on is whether to say no to conventional plastics and say yes to engineered thermoplastics, or continue to look for alternatives, which given the current technologies, keeps making matters worse.

Returning back to the days where inefficient packaging and the absence of composite materials led to heavy appliances and food waste is sure to have a huge impact on energy consumption and greenhouse gases, and there’s finally some data to bank on!

All You Need to Know About Radioprotective Garments

Tags

lead-free shielding, radiation protection, radiation shielding materials

Radioprotective garments may come in all shapes and sizes, but there are two that you really need to concern yourself with – lead protective garments and lead-alternative protective garments. One often needs to use a combination of radiation protection garments such as aprons, vests, protective eyewear and kilts to protect radiation workers, so it’s even more important to understand the differences between the two. And considering all the lead poisoning cases coming up, it always helps to have some additional information about lead-free shielding at hand.

What are Lead Protective Garments?

Lead aprons are conventionally made using lead powder which was bonded in thick rubber to allow the apron to be long-lasting and comfortable. The radiation protection offered by these lead garments was 0.50mm lead which would transmit about 2% of a fluoroscopic x-ray beam. Sounds great until you realize that the garments are actually made of lead!!

What are Lead-Alternative Protective Garments?

Lead-alternative protective garments, on the other hand, offer a similar level of radiation protection without forcing you to deal with the use of lead and make yourself succumb to the dangers of lead poisoning. These garments use radiation shielding materials such as antimony, tungsten and bismuth and the level of protection offered is almost identical.

Advantages of Using Lead-Alternative Protective Garments

So what is it that makes these lead-free shielding garments so beneficial? The main advantage of using these garments is that they are non-hazardous and environment-friendly. Hospitals replacing lead protective garments with these alternatives have also seen cost savings as disposing of worn out lead protective garments is a major disadvantage. On the other hand, these alternatives can simply be disposed via the conventional waste stream. Moreover, the garments are lighter and still offer the same protection. And we don’t need to remind you that these radiation shielding garments don’t use lead!

Can I Determine the Lead Equivalence?

Since lead-alternative protective garments don’t use lead, determining lead equivalence might be a problem. Since alternative materials absorb radiation effectively over a narrow range, a number of different metals need to be used in a matrix in order to spread out the range as much as possible. However, this also implies that lead-alternative protective garments tend to depend on x-ray energy and thereforethe term “lead-equivalence” might not accurately describe its protective value.

So Can I Go Lead-Free?

If one is thinking about switching to a lead-free shielding garment, it is essential to consult a medical physicist or radiation safety officer before making the switch. These professionals can give you an EDE1 radiation monitor which uses 2 dosimeters in order to evaluate the protective value of the new garment so that one can directly evaluate the protective value of lead-alternative protective garments with regards to the work environment.

Lead-alternative protective garments can offer similar protection at reduced weights, but they also offer a great fit. Those who need to radiation protection garments on a day-to-day basis can really make do with these as custom-fitted kit and vest combinations reduce the orthopedic strain. And it’s not just the fit, the weight and protective value can also be considered!

The Future of Wearable Electronics

Tags

heavy plastics, thermoplastic composites

Haven’t you ever dropped your smartphone, ending with a cracked screen and cussing yourself for being so careless? Haven’t you ever thought the need for electronics that wouldn’t break easily? Turns out the future of electronics is everything you’ve ever wanted it to be!

One of the main reasons that electronic parts break is that they are made using materials that break easily. They are difficult to use in products that need bending, such as devices that can be attached or glued onto the skin. Moreover, clear or transparent materials or even heavy plastics aren’t known to conduct electricity well either. And this is probably why we haven’t seen wearable electronics yet.

However, researchers might just have come up with a solution that might make all your dreams come true. Researchers have developed a thin flexible mesh which can be used to conduct electricity and is transparent as well. This new mesh could be the basis of all kinds of products, says Sam Yoon, the lead researcher behind this project.

Yoon and his team started out with a material known as acrylonitrile, a clear liquid that has commonly been used to make thermoplastic composites. This material was mixed with another liquid which played the role of a solvent and the mix was squeezed through an incredibly tiny nozzle and sprayed through the air. The solvent evaporated upon being sprayed and the tiny acrylonitrile molecules ended up getting linked to each other, creating a high gravity compound called polyacrylonitrile. Continuous squeezing created a long polyacrylonitrile fiber which was so thin that it was almost invisible. In fact, the human hair is 17 times wider. Researchers also kept moving the nozzle back and forth, which helped them create a layer that resembled a spider’s web.

Sounds great, doesn’t it. However, like most other thermoplastic composites, polyacrylonitrile isn’t a conductor of electricity. So the most important step was to add metal to the coating so that electricity could flow through. Now since basic metal coatings couldn’t stick to polyacrylonitrile, researchers needed something different. To counteract this problem, they sprayed a coating of an inert metal like platinum or gold on the polyacrylonitrile compound. They then added another layer of polyacrylonitrile, offering temporary support, assisting the metal base to resist sagging.

This fiber covered frame was then connected to negatively charged electrodes and dipped in a solution which contained dissolved copper. Electric current was run through the solution for an entire minute during which time the copper got attracted to the fibers. This allowed the polyacrylonitrile to not only bond at places where they touched each other, but also made it possible to add a thin layer of copper which conducted electricity. This was then attached to a clear plastic which used adhesives the way band-aids do. The entire frame was then dipped in a liquid which dissolved polyacrylonitrile fibers which didn’t have copper jackets, leaving behind a mesh made purely using copper-coated fibers.

Younan Xia, a materials scientist at Georgia Institute Technology, states that it’s easy to understand why the mesh is so transparent. Xia also noted that the tinges of color added to the mesh could further be reduced by using silver instead of copper. Lab tests further proved that the mesh is not only flexible, but also managed to conduct electricity despite being bent more than a thousand times. It carried electricity after being stretched 6 times its length and none of the fibers showed signs of deformity.

In other words, this mesh could just be the jumpstart wearable tech needed. It could find great use as a flexible solar cell or as a sensor for artificial skin or artificial limbs. It could also be attached to the skin to monitor electrical currents. But perhaps, its most promising use is that it could also be used to create roll-up touchscreen displays!

Replacing Metal with Plastics

Tags

composite materials, high density materials, thermoplastic composite materials

Replacing metals with plastic has finally become a viable and cost-effective option for many businesses. Engineered thermoplastics have made great in roads in offering businesses with many of the strengths that metals possess, without any of the draw backs that metals can be famous for.

Misconceptions About Plastic

One of the biggest misconceptions of plastic is that it tends to have a lower melt temperature as compared to metals, restricting its use in high temperature applications. This may be true in the broadest of terms, however, there are several flame-retardant properties that can be introduced to composite materials to help raise their melt temp and allow them to meet stringent flame-smoke-toxicity requirements. In fact, a number of these engineered thermoplastics such as Teflon have a melting point over575°F.

Why Choose Plastics Over Metals?

There are a number of reasons why plastics offer a better alternative to using metals.

• First and foremost, engineered thermoplastics have 1/7th the weight of most non-ferrous metals. This means that they act as a boon for industries such as the automobile sector where weight is an incredibly crucial aspect. Reducing weight is critically important for the automotive industry as they strive for ever better mileage with increasingly strict MPG targets put forth by regulators. These types of engineered plastics are hence vital for the automotive mileage quest as they can achieve the strengths of metals without the weight. Moreover, the size and volumes involved means that handling lighter materials makes it easier for the industry. A lighter material also means cheaper transportation costs.

• Plastics help bring about lower production costs and lower actual material costs. It is also often cheaper to produce injection moulded plastic parts when compared to their metal equivalents.

• Finally, thermoplastics don’t corrode or oxidise. This means less maintenance, a superior appearance and a longer life.

How Can I Replace Metal with Plastics?

There are two ways by which you can replace a metal with engineered thermoplastics –

1.Using a light-weight plastic which has the same physical properties and strength: Light-weight plastics are particularly needed by the automotive sector where these high-gravity compounds have become indispensable thanks to their various characteristics.

2.Using a plastic that has equal mass and density to a metal: Composite materials can achieve the same density that is required by your application while using plastic so as to offer direct cost savings in the manufacturing process by allowing you to switch from metallurgy to injection moulding. This becomes incredibly beneficial for those involved in complex part geometries or high-volume jobs.

How Can Ecomass Compounds Help?

Our composite materials offer a number of distinct advantages when compared to their metal equivalents in the form of low overall costs, reduced vibration, low maintenance, simplified designs, less weight, better resistance to chemicals and simplified designs. Our engineered thermoplastics can be customized to perfectly match your application requirements and offer you the most cost-effective materials. For applications which require electrical, physical or mechanical properties that go beyond off-the-shelf products, Ecomass Compounds also offers custom materials that can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements.

There might be some cases where the use of metals is indispensable, but in most cases, one can easily switch to composite materials and high-gravity compounds. It ultimately depends on the end-use of the application.

Metal Vs 3D Printed Thermoplastics: The Move Away from Metals in Automotive

Tags

composite materials, thermoplastic composite materials

Metals have been used for all sorts of products given their impressive physical properties and the ability to add mass to certain applications. They offer dimensional accuracy, heat resistance, electrical conductivity and mechanical strength in addition to providing durability and quality. With that said, we are also witnessing a greater push among several industries, in particular automotive, to move away from metal products when and where possible. For automotive, there is a constant pressure towards lighter in an effort to improve fuel mileage standards. Moreover, for complex part geometries, or for anything beyond standard stock shapes, the need for secondary machining and operations can be quite costly. As a result, we are seeing more and more demand for heavy plastics to replace metal parts. 3D printing technologies have really catalysed this push as they help eliminate the need for tooling and allow for cost-effective prototyping.

Why Heavy Plastics?

3D Printing and the development of engineered thermoplastics are helping manufacturers replace metals with heavy plastics in a wide range of industry. Apart from being a high-performance option, thermoplastic composite materials also tend to offer longer lasting solutions and a higher quality when compared to metals. Perhaps most importantly, they utilize an incredibly efficient production process: injection molding, which allows for high volume production while eliminating the need for secondary operations.Additionally, the technology behind these heavy plastics is constantly improving and with new flame retardant, impact modified, or UV stabilized grades, the potential applications for these materials is constantly growing.

A Case Study: The Volvo Truck Engine

The first thing that needed in Volvo truck engines is efficiency and toughness.By using thermoplastic composite materials in as many as 30 tool applications, Volvo trucks have managed to reduce tool turn around times by as much as 94%. According to reports from Lyon, the facility has reduced the design and manufacture time from 36 days to a mere 2 days ever since it switched from traditional manufacturing methods that used metal. This has worked wonders in improving the efficiency and flexibility of the plant, allowing it to reduce costs and meet delivery times. In fact, some reports also suggest that in cases where small quantities of tools are needed, 3D printed thermoplastics cost as little as $1.13 / 0.6 cubic inches compared to $113, the cost of producing the same item using metal.

According to Pierre Jenny, the manufacturing director at the engine production facility, 3D printed thermoplastics have made it possible to produce an unlimited range of tools within a very short period of time and this directly relates to an improved production workf low. Some of the production tools that have already seen the introduction of thermoplastic composite materials include jigs, tool holders, light weight clamps and supports. Jean-Marc Robin, the technical manager at Volvo trucks, also confirmed that every piece of the 3D printed thermoplastic used by the company has proven to be “100% fit-for-purpose”. Robin also mentioned that the cost-effective, efficient and fast methods meant that the company was far less restricted than it was 6 months ago and that it was also enjoying the freedom to constantly improve processes.

What About Thermoplastics for My Own Applications?

Thermoplastic composite materials can be used in all kinds of applications. It makes the most of different types of filaments which are used for deposition modelling. The choice of filament determines the color, and it can also be made to look transparent or glow in the dark. Variations in the quality offers endless possibilities when it comes to 3D printed thermoplastics and countless ways to enhance the attractiveness of your product. In other words, thermoplastic composite materials and 3D printing technologies are surely making a foray into your industry with countless potential applications, if they haven’t already!

Uses of Composite Materials

Tags

lead replacement, radiation shielding, thermoplastic composite materials

Composite materials are no longer known as space-age materials that are only used in the defense industry or space shuttles. These versatile metals have now found their way into mainstream life and are being used in all kinds of industries. This article discusses some of the main uses of thermoplastic composite materials today.

What are Composite Materials?

Composite materials are a combination of two unique materialsthat together makes them superior to the properties offered by individual components. The reinforcement of fibers allows the material to offer better strength and stiffness. These fibers can also be placed in different ways so as to influence the properties of the resulting composite material.

Where are Composite Materials Used?

The following are some of the most common areas where composite materials are being used today.

• Sports: A number of sports have begun shifting towards the use of thermoplastic composite materials because of their need for weight reduction. One of the first disciplines to switch to composites was Formula One. Composites are widely used in crash protection parts of the F1 car. Motor racing soon began using composites in the form of a carbon bike, known for its carbon fiber reinforced epoxy. Other applications of composites can be seen in snowboards, skis and surfboards.

• Automobiles: Composites are integral to the manufacturing of cars and bikes. DaimlerChrysler uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic for making body components such as doors, flared rear wheel arches and the bonnet of the Mercedes AMG Cabriolet. BMW has also gone for composites in the deck lid, roof and front wings of its BMW M6. Other examples include the carbon fiberbodyshell of the Peugeot 907. Composite materials are highly valued by the automotive industry in their quest for ever lighter materials as new compounds are produced with greater strength and less weight, helping contribute to a more fuel-efficient automobile.

• Home and Garden: The use of thermoplastic composite materials in and around your home is still quite limited, but new applications are coming up every day. Furniture, such as maintenance-free doors and windows, is one area where the use of composites has been experimented. Other applications can be seen in decking and swimming pools.

• Consumer Goods: Composites are commonly used in electronics and some of the most common examples include the Acer Ferrari 4000 notebook and the Sony VAIO notebook. Composite materials are also used in B&W loudspeakers.

• Construction: From plastic-laminated trusses and beams to outdoor decks and porches, composite products are finding their way into all kinds of construction applications.

• Ballistic Protection: Carbon composite fibers are being used to make bulletproof vests to offer lightweight body armor that doesn’t compromise on offering protection from flames, explosives or bullets. Kevlar, an example of such a fiber, is five times stronger than steel, yet half as dense as fiberglass.

Why Choose Ecomass Composite Materials?

Ecomass Technologies has been offering engineered thermoplastics composite materials since 1998. Our expertise in the area allows us to develop high-density thermoplastic compounds and ensure that our plastics solve the material challenges faced by your products without breaking your budget. We specialize in lead replacement and high-density applications and our compounds can be used for all kinds of applications, from radiation shielding and balancing to vibration dampening and weighting. Moreover, all Ecomass composite materials are 100% lead-free and do not include any hazardous or toxic materials. So whether you need a lead substitute or a replacement for aluminum, copper, bronze, steel, stainless steel or brass, we always have the right solution for you.

Applications of Thermoplastic Composites & Properties

Tags

composite materials, thermoplastic composite materials

A composite material is a compound that consist of two or more material components that have different physical and chemical properties. The resulting composite material has characteristics different from the individual constituents. In a composite material the different components are separated and distinct in finished layers. They have various uses that span all industries and applications. Examples of composite materials include cement for building materials, plastics like fiber-reinforced polymer, metal composites and ceramics like metal ceramics. Use of composites has grown in importance in spacecraft and in aircraft environments among other industries, and new composite materials are being developed constantly to advance the boundaries and capabilities of material science.

Thermoplastic composites.

A thermoplastic is a polymeric material that can be shaped into a viscous material at a temperature either higher than its transition temperature or a temperature above its melting point. Thermoplastics can be made up of a long, linear or branched materials which are separated away from each other chemically.

Production of composite materials does come with its own challenges such as a time-consuming or expensive production process, and potentially higher scrap rates. Thermoplastic composites have proved to overcome this problem as they are tough, stiff, and cost effective as they can be recycled.

Thermoplastic resins and fiber

When discussing thermoplastic composite materials, generally speaking the composite material will consist of a standard thermoplastic base resin which is combined with some other additive or constituent such as a metal powder, or carbon fiber. The purpose of the added constituent is to add or improve a specific physical property such as increasing impact strength by adding glass fiber.

Thermoplastic composites have several advantages which include efficient heat tolerance, longer half-life, relatively cheap, non-toxic and very low toxic level. They are also reusable, machinable, and flexible for shaping and reforming. Thermoplastics composites are also stiffer compared to other injected molded plastics. Other features that make the thermoplastic composites more useful is that they can be compounded to result in a material that is tougher and lighter compared to aluminum.

Thermoplastic composites have become of great importance in use in the aerospace industry. Use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has become of great benefit in the production of aero crafts. Carbon-fibre reinforced thermoplastic are formed by compounding the carbon fiber directly into the base resin to result in an easily processed material that can be formed to shape. The resultant material is made to the right size and can consist of up to 60% by volume carbon fiber and 40% by volume resin.

A thermoplastic CFRP has great tolerance to fatigue and damage, it takes a shorter time to manufacture and has low moisture absorption properties making it appropriate for an aerospace environment.

Typical thermoplastic materials used include; carbon/PPS, carbon/PEKK, carbon/PEEK, carbon/PEI, glass/PPS, glass/PEI, and glass/PEEK.

Aircraft companies in particular are using more and more thermoplastic composites given their enhanced durability and their optimal strength to weight ratio.

Composite materials and their importance

Tags

composite materials, thermoplastics materials

A composite material is made up of two or more materials which possess different physical or chemical characteristics. There is no limit to the total number of materials that can be combined to make a composite material. You can combine as many materials as you wish to come up with a final product that meets your personal preferences. On the other hand, there are typically no limits to the nature and type of materials that can be combined. One example of this is combining materials such as metals and polymers to come up with a material which possesses better attributes.

When two or more materials have been combined to come up with a composite material, the overall material contains constituents whose properties are still distinct in all respects. Both the chemical and physical properties ofeach constituent remain unaltered when two more materials are combined to form a composite material. Therefore, the material is said to possess physical and chemical properties which are a combination of the materials which it contains. For example, a composite material made up of two metals will possess the attributes of the individual metals which the composite contains.

There are numerous reasons why composite materials are made. One of the major reasons is the fact that composites often possess better properties compared to the constituents individually. For example, a composite material made up of two or more metals will be able to exhibit features such as high tensile strength and hardness. Similarly, composites such as concrete have more compressive strength than that of the individual constituents.

It is sometimes cheaper to come up with a composite material and to exploit its attributes than it is to use the individual constituent materials. This is one of the major reasons why the use of composites is often preferred compared to the individual materials that it contains. In most cases, the costs are lowered if composites are used because they may be cheaper to process and produce. On the other hand, it may also be more durable compared to its constituent materials. Since a composite material possesses attributes of all its constituent materials, it is going to be useful for more purposes compared to its constituent materials.

There are numerous examples of composites that are currently available today. Each composite possesses properties which make it suitable for its specific use. Concrete is a perfect example of a composite that has been used for many years in construction. It constitutes cement, aggregates and sand. Another example of a composite material is thermoplastic composites. All thermoplastic composite materials are made up of two or more thermoplastics materials in order to create a final product whose attributes are better than a single thermoplastic material.

All you need to know about composite materials

Tags

composite materials, thermoplastic composites

A composite material is a material that is made out of two or more unique materials of different properties and characteristics. There are numerous reasons why composite materials are useful and important. First of all, composite materials can expand the spectrum as far as material capabilities offered by industry. Often times, the goal of a composite material is to combine the unique advantages of two separate materials into one superior material which contains the unique advantages of each.

For example, combining a high impact-strength material with one which does not corrode easily will produce a high impact-strength material that does not easily corrode. In general, material combination is based on highlighting one or more characteristics of two particular materials. For example, two materials where one is resistant to corrosion and another resistant to tear and wear can be combined. The resultant composite material would be both resistant to wear and corrosion.

Perhaps you are wondering what some of the advantages are of composite materials. It is important to realize the fact that numerous advantages are associated with combining more than one material to come up with a single material. First of all, it is cheaper to use a composite material than to use two separate materials with individual constituents. When two metals are combined, they can produce a material which is resistant to corrosion and wear. In cases where more than a single property is desired, composite materials are used because they can achieve multiple, desirable properties within a single material.

There are many examples of composite materials that are currently available today. A good example of widely used composite which has been in use for centuries is bronze, a composite of copper and tin with some additional elements. This combination produces a material which possesses physical and chemical characteristics that are shared between its constituent substances. It is harder than copper and is for example often used to make statues because unlike copper it does not corrode when exposed to air. There are also ceramic composites which also include silicon dioxide mixed with other substances to come up with a material that can be used to make floor and wall tiles. Another category of composites is thermoplastic composites which is comprised of a thermoplastic combined with another material such as a metal powder to increase density, or a glass or carbon fiber to increase the material’s strength.

Composites can be used in an enormous variety of application. For example, cement is a composite material made up of sand, cement and aggregates, and is in fact the world’s second most consumed substance behind only water. The usage of concrete is based on its final properties which are as a result of its constituent materials. Reinforced concrete is another example of a composite material that is used on a very large scale in the construction industry. It is mainly used to enhance the tensile strength of concrete. Other composite materials are plywood, fiber-reinforced polymers and glass which has been reinforced with fiber or plastic.

A BASIC INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITES AND THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES. THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Tags

composite materials, thermoplastic composite materials

Composite materials are materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties, that when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.

The individual components remain separate and distinct within the finished structure. The new material may be preferred for many reasons: common examples include materials which are stronger, lighter or less expensive when compared to traditional materials. One of the most common composite materials in the plastics world are reinforced plastics, which are standard plastics combined with carbon or glass fiber to produce a stronger material.

Composite materials include:

Composite building materials such as cements, concrete

Reinforced plastics such as fiber-reinforced polymer

Metal Composites

Ceramic Composites (composite ceramic and metal matrices)

Composite materials have an enormous range of applications, including anything from the construction of buildings, bridges and structures, as well as in parts such as boat hulls, swimming pool panels, race car bodies, shower stalls, bathtubs, storage tanks, imitation granite and cultured marble sinks and counter tops. Composite materials can be found in practically any industry.

Thermoplastic composites are plastic specific composite materials, able to be produced on standard processing equipment such as extrusion or injection molding, however, additional materials or additives are combined with the plastic to change the physical properties to achieve a desired specification. Some of the advantages of thermoplastic composites include unlimited shelf life, faster production, and the recyclability of scrap. Thermoplastic composites offer substantial reductions in flammability, and smoke and toxicity performance, and are relatively insensitive to chemical attack. Typical uses are in automotive, sporting goods, marine use, and in construction. Some thermoplastic composites for example are designed to withstand extreme temperature environments, for example in many aircraft or in industrial applications. Other composites may focus on strength or wear resistance.

It is important to note the difference between thermoplastics and thermoset materials. A thermoset is a petrochemical material that irreversibly cures following a catalytic reaction. The cure may be induced by heat, generally above 200 °C (392 °F), through a chemical reaction, or by suitable irradiation.Thermoset materials are usually liquid or malleable prior to curing and are designed to be molded into their final form, or used as adhesives. Others are solids like that of the molding compound used in semiconductors and integrated circuits (IC).

In contrast to crosslinking thermosets, whose cure reaction cannot be reversed, thermoplastic composites harden when cooled but retain their plasticity; that is, they will melt once again and can be reshaped by reheating them above their processing temperature. Less-expensive thermoplastic composites offer lower processing temperatures but also have limited use temperatures.

Since the 1960s, the vast majority of composite materials for aerospace have been based on thermoset materials, especially in the United States, due to their material cost and the costs associated with conversion to new materials, such as thermoplastics. However, limitations of thermoset polymers, such as their inability to be re-melted, shorter shelf-life, higher storage costs, and longer curing times, coupled with pressures to reduce weight and an otherwise evolving aerospace environment, have opened up opportunities for thermoplastic composites.

Thermoplastic composite materials have changed the landscape of materials and are continuously being introduced into new industries, products, and applications. The following are the advantages of thermoplastic #composite materials:

Affordable replacement of aluminum, steel and titanium

Improved heat tolerance

Increased toughness

Chemical resistance

Enhanced stiffness

Greater compressive strength

Longer material lifespan

Non-toxic to produce

Recyclable for other processes

Low manufacturing cost

Weldable

Reshaping and reforming flexibility

Recyclable for other processes

These are the basics of composites and thermoplastic composites.