powerRibs 5020
powerRibs 5020
PowerRibs, identified by Art. No. 5020, is a flax-based fabric designed for composite manufacturing. It features a 0°/90° construction with a 3000 TEX fiber tex and a weight of 215 gsm. The fabric has a grid-like architecture with a 28 mm mesh size, a standard width of 1150 mm, and a roll length of 50 m.
PowerRibs enhances the flexural stiffness and damping properties of composite shells with minimal weight addition. It is designed to create a rib structure on one surface of the composite layer, improving performance and reducing environmental impact.
The composite properties include a Young’s modulus of 1.92 GPa in the wavy ribs direction and 1.89 GPa in the flat ribs direction, a shear modulus of 280 MPa, and a Poisson's ratio of 0.04. The density is 265.1 kg/m3 with a thickness of 1.66 mm.
PowerRibs' mechanical properties are represented by an equivalent homogeneous layer due to its discontinuous 3D structure. The ribs provide high damage tolerance, maintaining integrity even when damaged.
PowerRibs is compatible with epoxy and polyester resins but sensitive to humidity, requiring drying before use. It is typically used as the last layer on the surface, though additional layers can be added for increased stiffness.
- Wet Lay-up: Excess resin is applied, and a vacuum bag is used to impregnate the ribs.
- Prepreg: Similar to wet lay-up, with the option to pre-impregnate ribs.
- Vacuum Infusion: Ribs are placed as the last layer, and resin is infused.
- Bladder Inflation Molding: Ribs are placed over an elastic bladder, inflated, and cured.
- Thermoplastic Manufacturing: Preimpregnated with PP, using a silicon insert for compression molding.
PowerRibs offers significant environmental benefits over carbon fiber composites, with 85% lower water usage, CO2 footprint, and embodied energy.
PowerRibs requires an open mold process with a flexible membrane to create the rib structure effectively.
Catalog excerpts
Fabric construction Fibre type: Flax (EU) Construction: 0°/90° Fibre tex: 3000 TEX Fabric weight: 215 gsm +/- 5% Architecture: Grid-like fabric with 28 mm mesh size Measurements Product Data Sheet powerRibs Art. No. 5020 Product description powerRibs material is designed for manufacturing fiber reinforced composite products with high performance and low environmental impact. This special fabric creates rib structure on one surface of the composite layer, significantly increasing the flexural stiffness and damping properties of thin composite shells with little additional weight. Mechanical composite properties Due to the discontinuous 3D structure, the mechanical properties of the powerRibs cannot be described in a generic way. The mechanical properties of powerRibs applied to a base layer can be represented by an equivalent homogeneous layer added to the laminate. The equivalent layer represents the "smeared" effect of the powerRibs over the part's surface. Note that the equivalent modulus is not identical in both in-plane directions. This is due to the ribs being bonded flat to the base in one direction. However, in the other direction the ribs have to "travel" over the flat ribs at each of their intersections (see modeling FE & 3D guide for illustration). Due to its grid structure with big tough yarns, powerRibs provides a very high damage tolerance to the part, also ensuring that it stays in one part even when crashed. Standard roll length: 50 m
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Product Data Sheet powerRibs Art. No. 5020 Ecological aspects Important facts Compared to carbon fibre reinforced plastics, powerRibs composite material (flax fibre reinforced plastics) has significantly lower environmental impact due to its weight advantages and lower material input. PowerRibs are well compatible with epoxy and polyester. Sensitive to humidity: dry fabric before use (example: 105°C, 15 minutes). The key factor to optimize the effect of the powerRibs is to create a good rib structure. Therefore, a very flexible vacuum bag or bladder has to be used, such that the flexible film...
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