Advanced Materials – formulations engineered to meet
your product specifications
The starting point in a composite product design is specifying the functional requirements and economics. Sometimes a standard formulary is an easy fit – but in most cases customers stretch for more. Lighter, stronger, faster, fewer pieces, fire-retardant, larger, chemical resistant, glossier finish, lower cost – characteristics that will provide a competitive edge.
This is where having the industry leader in advanced materials on your team ups your game. MFG brings a deep bench of material engineers and a dedicated R&D lab to assist you in analyzing your design against the properties of various materials. From there we can recommend a material – either a standard chemistry, a proprietary MFG formula, or a custom solution – that will achieve your targets.
Recognized internationally for having influenced the industry with many material innovations – we invite you to see how MFG’s composites expertise might help advance your composites project.
Our supply base is made up of high quality well-known high performing industry suppliers, and includes strategic partnerships.
Fibers and Resins
A composite is a combination of materials that yield properties greater than the individual ingredients. One material is always a particulate or fiber (reinforcement) and the other a formable solid (matrix).
Plastic resins are the formable matrix within the composite. Virtually all of the physical properties (chemical, electrical, and thermal) are strongly influenced by the resin. Most resins used in composites are the thermosetting type – once formed they cannot be reformed, and they do not melt or flow. Thermoplastics are also used in lower temperature applications. Most often they are enhanced with synergistic organic and inorganic additives to provide additional functionality.
Fibers provide strength, dimensional stability and heat resistance. Additives are easily incorporated into resin systems to provide pigmentation, flame retardence, weather resistance, superior surface finish, low shrinkage and other desirable properties.
Final properties are determined by many factors including the type, amount, and composition of the resin systems and reinforcements. In addition, the use of additives can greatly affect the properties.
Outlined here is information on the various reinforcement and resin systems that are the building block elements for composites. You may find it helpful to download our Design Guide.
Reinforcements
- Glass
- Carbon Fiber
- Aramid
- Natural Fibers
