German carbon fibre producer SGL Group (Wiesbaden; www.sglgroup.com) has begun commercialisation of unidirectional (UD) tapes and long fibre reinforced thermoplastics (LFRTs). UD tapes are composite materials based on unidirectional carbon fibres and can be manufactured using a range of thermoplastics and, for example, a 50k “Sigrafil” carbon fibre developed specifically for tapes as a reinforcing fibre. Appropriate sizing of the fibres allows optimal bonding to the plastic, which leads to improved mechanical properties.

The company’s LFRT materials are long fibre reinforced thermoplastic granules and can be based, for example, on PA or PPA. A range of glass fibres are used for reinforcement, customised for individual applications. The materials provide high strength and rigidity coupled with low density. They also exhibit limited creep tendencies and high chemical resistance, the company said.

Andreas Wüllner, head of SGL’s composite fibres and materials business unit, said: “The new products are the ideal additions to our range of thermoplastic materials. The thermoplastics material set of SGL Group gives us the opportunity to work together with our customers in opening up new applications in the industrial field, the automotive and sports goods industries and aerospace.”