Composites

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High-Temperature ToughenersRelease Films for Composite ProductionHigh-Performance Films for Thermal Acoustic Blankets

Solvay Specialty Polymers offers a comprehensive range of specialty polymers, oligomers and monomers in a variety of molecular weights and particle sizes for use in advanced composites. Product forms include powders, fibers and foams.

Sulfone Polymers for Composites

Virantage® polyethersulfone (PESU) – Amorphous, high-temperature thermoplastic that offers excellent thermal and hydrolytic stability. Inherent toughness imparts damage tolerance to thermoset composites and excellent flexibility to coatings.

Virantage® reactive polyethersulfone (r-PESU) – Features reactive end groups that enhance solubility and processability, and improve interfacial properties for excellent hot-wet performance in epoxy thermosets.

Solvay is creating a new PESU production site at its state-of-the-art facility in Panoli, India, as part of the company’s long-term commitment to supply and develop products specific to the composites industry.

Sulfone Monomers for Composites

Virantage® dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) – Ultra high purity monomer that serves as a key ingredient in the production of sulfone polymer-based tougheners.

Virantage® diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) – Manufactured using DCDPS and is widely recognized as the hardener of choice for high-performance epoxies needing superior thermal and environmental properties.

Ultra Polymers for Composites

Torlon® polyamide-imide (PAI) – Reactive oligomer widely recognized for providing excellent adhesion to carbon, glass, aramid fibers and metals. This high-temperature material retains its outstanding cohesive and adhesive properties even under highly aggressive thermal and oxidative conditions.

AvaSpire® polyaryletherketone (PAEK) – Versatile family of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) that are tailored to provide new and unique combinations of performance and value.

KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – Semi-crystalline polymer that offers outstanding chemical resistance for both thermoplastic and thermoset composite systems. Its proven long-term thermal and mechanical stability makes it an importantaddition to the traditional set of composite materials.

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Testing Shows Comparable Processing and Performance

In order to support customers during the migration, Solvay conducted a series of studies to compare the processing and performance of Radel A-105P and Virantage VW-10200 RP. Test results are reported here and show that there are no functional differences between the two reactive polyethersulfone (r-PESU) materials.

Composite Resin Formulations and Properties

Three different composite resin formulations were prepared using Radel A-105P and Virantage VW-10200 RP as the toughening additive (see Table 2). Both materials were micronized into fine powders with 97% of the powder particles being less than 45 microns (D50 about 25 microns). Actual properties of the r-PESU materials used are reported in Table 3. Each formulation was evaluated to compare the two materials.

Neat Resin Coating

The r-PESU/epoxy adducts were then cured with either the DDS or DETA hardener to produce neat resin castings that were used for further characterization. A series of mechanical tests showed no appreciable difference between systems toughened using Radel A-105P and those toughened using Virantage VW-10200 RP (see Table Comparison of TGMDA Adducts).

The modulus of each neat resin casting was evaluated from ambient temperature up to 250°C using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). In addition, DMA testing was conducted on neat resin castings exposed to boiling water for 48 hours and on neat resin castings soaked in methyl ethyl ketone solvent for 14 days. No appreciable difference was observed between the two r-PESU products.