TFP’s New Lightweight Surface Felt for High Temperature Applications

 

 

Technical Fiber Products (TFP) has launched new lightweight face felts designed for high temperature performance in composites. The new polyimide (PI) and basalt face felts (Basalt) are part of TFP’s OPTIVEIL product range, developed specifically to expand TFP’s selection of high temperature materials.

 

The polyimide face felt is the highest temperature stable polymer face felt produced by TFP, with a maximum use temperature of over 260°C, which TFP says is significantly higher than other polymers such as polyester and PPS. The material was developed as a high-performance insulation material for space applications, designed to provide the temperature stability required to withstand missions to explore space and the sun.

 

 

Basalt Face Felt is a higher temperature stability alternative to TFP’s standard E & ECR glass face felt. It is stable to temperatures up to 850°C and retains its integrity when in contact with open flames, making it ideal for applications requiring a fire barrier. Like glass, basalt is also highly resistant to acids and alkalis, making it ideal for use in corrosive environments.

 

 

The new materials not only offer high temperature stability, but also feature the fiber uniformity and good surface quality of TFP’s OPTIVEIL and OPTIMAT series, which include carbon, glass, metal coatings, aramid, recycled carbon and thermoplastic nonwovens. This excellent fiber dispersion quality makes the material suitable for a wide range of composite applications, including surface finish, improving resin flow, adhesive carrier and imparting other functional properties to composites.

 

TFP will also be showcasing new TECNOFIRE developments for fire protection products for composite structures.

 

The company’s latest E8AI Mat, formulated with AES fibers, has an operating temperature of up to 1100°C to 1300°C and also improves the temperature stability of composite products.

 

Other TECNOFIRE developments on display include a lightweight intumescent mat for aircraft, which is added to aerospace composites to improve flame and smoke spread (FST) with minimal weight increase.