The stick was used by the Swiss Team at the Hockey World Championship 2009 and was also praised by the Russian, Austrian, Latvian and French teams.  The new, patented nanotechnology provides the hockey stick with its specific strength and thus improves its impact characteristics as well as its reaction where bending, resistance and torsion are concerned.  In addition, the energy released by the player is passed directly and efficiently to the puck due to the one-piece design.

From damage simulation to serial production
New technologies for the serial production of carbon-reinforced plastics (CRP) will be demonstrated by the IKV - Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung of RWTH Aachen. The IKV scientists developed three new process chains enabling the production of materials with a fibre content exceeding 50 percent in less than ten minutes.

The mechanical behaviour of CRP sandwich panels in practical tests is explained by the speakers from Fraunhofer IWM for CRP foam core sandwich panels. In its lecture, the Fraunhofer Entwicklungszentrum für Röntgentechnik (EZRT) presents non-invasive test procedures, from 3D computer tomography to radioscopy to thermography and ultrasonic techniques.

Dassault Systemes Simulia provides information on possibilities for FEM analysis of lightweight fibre composite structures. The use of the finite element method allows predictions on processes of damage and failure in supercritical load conditions.

The combination of highly elastic composites and aesthetically pleasing design is demonstrated by Huntsman and D3 who cooperated closely in designing a sophisticated carbon fibre chair moulded in four parts. Products from Huntsman’s Araldite series were used in the project. The two companies show how complex parts can be produced simply and cost-effectively using simple tooling technology.

The COMPOSITES Forum is located in Hall 4 and designed as an open lecture area. Admission is free for all trade fair visitors.

Special visitor attraction: The Product Demonstration Area
From a three metre high windmill to a racing car, from a resin infusion to an intelligent surface: With its special Product Demonstration Area, COMPOSITES EUROPE will again create a special visitor attraction in the autumn in Stuttgart when it will open its doors for the fourth time. Together with the exhibitors, it will once again demonstrate the potential and the innovative character of composite materials from 27 to 29 October.

Focusing on high performance materials
The special display that is being created in cooperation with the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University and the Federation for Reinforced Plastics (AVK) is focusing this year on high performance composites. The main feature will consist of composites that contain continuous reinforcing fibres, such as glass, carbon or aramide fibres.

Within the exhibition, the Product Demonstration Area offers visitors demonstrations of production processes, presentations of raw materials, intermediate and end products from various application industries as well as a variety of testing procedures for composite products.

Experiencing live production processes
In the Product Demonstration Area, visitors can experience the production of fibre composite units. The EADS subsidiaries Flugzeug-Union Süd and Airtech from Luxembourg will be providing live presentations of resin infusion processes. An insight into resin transfer moulding technology will be provided during the fair by the Euro-RTM Group.

Henkel AG, which will be represented at COMPOSITES EUROPE for the first time in 2009, will demonstrate its solutions from the sectors of structural adhesion, release agents and advanced resins. In the Product Demonstration Area, Henkel will present release agents for the improved release of composite parts from moulds.

ANDORIT will present a 3D scanner in Stuttgart, with which hardware can be scanned so as to be able to produce scale models at a later date.

High-tech products brought to life
The special exhibition focuses on production processes as well as on the end products, such as ice hockey bats, golf caddies and even racing cars. Consequently, EVONIK Industries will present at the special display the Evonik LWD Exige sports car.

With a preproduction impact tool of CRP, ADETE, the engineering services provider from Kaiserslautern, will present a typical machine building and plant construction application in the Product Demonstration Area. The original stainless steel construction in this tool has been replaced by a carbon reinforced plastic structure.

A particular highlight is also the three metre high windmill from Amorim Cork composites, which has a cork core.

Access to the Product Demonstration Area is free-of-charge for the visitors to COMPOSITES EUROPE.

The Krempel-Group, from Vaihingen, offers with the BD system, prepregs that are based on modified epoxy resins with high impact resistance and excellent dynamic properties. These can be processed into high strength structural components with all standard processes. The curing range is between 85 and 140 degrees Celsius, the maximum dimensional stability under heat is 125 degrees Celsius.

The BX prepreg system has an extremely wide curing range from 55 to 185 degrees Celsius and thus fulfils the demands for a low pressure/low temperature prepreg. It is suitable for the production of structural components as well as for composite fibre tools with a dimensional stability under heat of up to 180 degrees Celsius. Here again, all current processing methods can be employed. At the Composites Europe (CE) trade fair, which will be held from 27 to 29 October 2009 in Stuttgart, Krempel will present a range of its latest developments.

So that epoxy and polyurethane resins as well as modelling and adhesive pastes are employed in the right blend, two component metering and mixing systems are required, such as those produced by Tartler GmbH from Lützelbach – who is also exhibiting at Composites Europe (CE). The company has developed powerful and flexible two-component mixing systems especially for the economic production of rotor blades for wind power stations.

A new nano-hardened epoxy adhesive paste with excellent mechanical characteristics for joining and repairing aircraft structures of metal and composite material has been developed by Huntsman Advanced Materials GmbH from Basel, Switzerland. Araldite EP1000AB noticeably exceeds the aircraft specifications for low temperatures, room temperature and relatively high temperatures. Due to simple handling and a long shelf life, the material also provides very promising options for additional applications.

According to Huntsman, they are the market leader for resin-hardening systems for the composites industry based on epoxy resins, bismalelmide, cyanide tester, benzoxacine and polyurethane systems. The company is a supplier of adhesive systems and liquid resin systems for the stated processes, including prepreg manufacture, as well as being a supplier for the formulators with a portfolio for the composites industry. Apart from aviation, important markets are in the automobile, wind energy, conventional energies, sports and leisure sectors.

Topics range from crash-safe materials in the automotive field to sandwich panels in aircraft construction, from growth potential in the construction of wind energy parks to production and machining processes for composites. The programme features a total of 26 lectures and presentations in English and German.

From damage simulation to serial production

New technologies for the serial production of carbon-reinforced plastics (CRP) will be demonstrated by the IKV – Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung of RWTH Aachen. The IKV scientists developed three new process chains enabling the production of materials with a fibre content exceeding 50 percent in less than ten minutes.

The mechanical behaviour of CRP sandwich panels in practical tests is explained by the speakers from Fraunhofer IWM for CRP foam core sandwich panels.

In its lecture, the Fraunhofer Entwicklungszentrum für Röntgentechnik (EZRT) presents non-invasive test procedures, from 3D computer tomography to radioscopy to thermography and ultrasonic techniques.

Dassault Systemes Simulia provides information on possibilities for FEM analysis of lightweight  fibre composite structures. The use of the finite element method allows predictions on processes of damage and failure in supercritical load conditions.

The combination of highly elastic composites and aesthetically pleasing design is demonstrated by Huntsman and D3 who cooperated closely in designing a sophisticated carbon fibre chair moulded in four parts. Products from Huntsman’s Araldite series were used in the project. The two companies show how complex parts can be produced simply and cost-effectively using simple tooling technology.

The COMPOSITES Forum is located in Hall 4 and designed as an open lecture area. Admission is free for all trade fair visitors.

New OLED markets for Araldite® Highly Flexible Composite, HFC
For the first time you can see how Huntsman is helping the Organic Light Emitting Devices, OLEDs, market to broaden its market. Huntsman has in conjunction with the Philips Holst Centre won a major award for its Araldite® HFC for a new multi-layered composite foil. This composite foil combines OLED technology with the award winning Araldite® HFC to open up an enormous range of new generation lighting and signage design opportunities.

Designers have the scope to create lighting and signage in shapes and forms that will not shatter or splinter on impact on a scale that has never before been possible. Plus the composite foil has the potential to be 70% more energy efficient and is more environmentally friendly than other light sources.

Corporate logos, brand names or warning signs can be creatively displayed on the spoilers of sports cars or motorbikes. Interior designers can add light sources on to flat carbon surfaces on furniture, aerospace and car interiors. And for the fashion conscious designer, he can add style and safety features to items such as skis, snowboards and yachts. The list is endless.

Ground breaking Fuel Cell Resins
Two new awarding fuel cell resins for lighter weight ground breaking graphite composite fuel cell bipolar plates offer significant benefits. The resin for cars is based on benzoxazine and the resin for back-up power and stationary power applications is based on bismaleimide. Every major manufacturer in the world is considering how best to utilise fuel cell technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the reliance on fossils fuels and these new resins represent the way forward.

Materials to meet new solar technology demands
Huntsman is exhibiting a range of materials suitable for the solar energy market. This is a market with unique requirements where products may have to withstand high temperatures. Materials on display include Araldite® 2015 which is used in heat removal devices which improve solar panels efficiency.

Nanotechnology improves performance
Araldite® EP1000, the patented new concept based on nanotechnology which significantly improves fracture resistance without affecting other properties. It is ideal for the aerospace sector. Also there is Araldite® nanotech toughened RTM – the extremely small size of the nanostructures coupled with their extremely high surface-to-volume ratios leads to improved performance factors such as strength, stiffness and wear resistance. It has been used for high impact sports sectors such as at ice hockey world championships.

Huntsman working with Busch S.A. has developed a world beating “one piece” hockey stick which was used by the Swiss team at the recent world Ice Hockey Championships and is now being considered by other world ice hockey teams such as Russia, Austria and France.

New building blocks added to the Araldite® Epoxy Resin Range
The first building block is Araldite® MY 816. This bi-functional resin based on a Naphthalene backbone presents good balance between temperature resistance and toughness together with lower water uptake and good flame resistance. The second new Araldite® building block is Araldite ® MY0610 which is a high purity version of the now famous meta-aminophenol based, trifunctional epoxy resin Araldite ® MY0600.

Araldite ® MY0610 provides the same features as Araldite® MY0600. It increases modulus, increases toughness compared to other multifunctional resins, whilst it also shows improved stability on storage and much lower viscosity. Those two new building blocks are added to a range of specialty epoxy resins suited for making high performance formulations intended for composites parts manufacturing in high end applications such as Aerospace and Formula One Racing.

Latest additions to the Araldite 2000+ range
Also on show are the recent additions to the Araldite® 2000 Plus range which include the latest polyurethane adhesives with their ability to bond plastics and a new methacrylate adhesive which because it requires minimal surface treatment is ideal in dynamic environments such as boats and for road and rail transportation.