First and foremost, the automotive industry will feel the benefits in high-volume applications such as car bodies or chassis.
As loose PET-based beads for manufacturing ready-to-use 3D-shaped foam cores for composite sandwich structures, ArmaShape combines the high mechanical properties of structural foam cores with the advantages of particle foams, offering lightweight and strong 3D-shaped foam parts that are producible in nearly any shape.
“Since Armacell’s breakthrough of PET foams in the composite industry, we have underlined our technical leadership with a series of pioneering inventions – above all, our unique and patented r-PET technology to produce PET foams cores made of 100% recycled PET,” said Thomas Kessel, managing director, Armacell PET Foams. “The launch of ArmaShape again confirms our strategy of constantly innovating environmentally friendly PET foam solutions to solve market challenges and create value to our customers.”
Starting from recycled PET flakes, the polymer is granulated and further processed by Armacell’s patented technology to produce ArmaShape. These PET-based beads are then filled into a mould and fused by a newly developed technology into the finished part. Thanks to a moulding technology that requires no additional production steps like milling or manual forming, ArmaShape will offer considerable overall cost savings for end applications. The high service temperature of up to +180°C opens a door to more demanding applications that are currently blocked by the limited technical performance of traditional particle foams. The fine and smooth surface structure of ArmaShape-moulded foam parts provides an excellent bond to any commercial resin and limits resin uptake without additional treatment.
Like all Armacell’s PET foam products, ArmaShape is manufactured and processed in an eco-friendly manner without using CFCs or HCFCs. Furthermore, grades employing the latest generation of halogen-free flame retardants have been developed with tailored fire retardancy characteristics. Made from 100% recycled PET and recyclable again after their use phase, ArmaShape represents a highly sustainable alternative to comparable materials.
To find out more about ArmaShape and other innovative products visit Armacell in hall 6, stand Q83 at JEC World 2018.
