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Light-Weight Reinforced
Thermoplastic (LWRT)
The LWRT family of
products are
low pressure, thermoformable composites of thermoplastic resin
and long chopped fiber combined with outer layers as
needed for the application (i.e.; adhesive film, barrier
film, tough PP film, non-woven, reinforcing, or just the
bare surface.) The
primary conversion process for manufacturing parts from
LWRT uses matched-surface molds in a thermoforming
set-up. Radiant heat is used to bring the sheet to forming
temperature prior to be placed in the press.
There are several products
that fall within the LWRT family.
Manufacturing Process
LWRT is manufactured using a modified
paper making process originally developed in
the U.K by Arjo Wiggins. The process involves mixing chopped
reinforcing fibers, thermoplastic resin powder, and additives into an aqueous slurry (looks like
shaving foam,) that is then deposited onto a conveyerized mesh
belt. Vacuum then extracts the
moisture from the system prior to the material entering a
drying oven. Essentially what is created is a fiber reinforced
thermoplastic foam with very low specific weight, typically
in the 0.2 to 0.8 range, but with a very high stiffness to
weight ratio.
After the material exits the drying oven, and
while it is still hot, it is run through a lamination phase that performs several functions including,
reducing
the thickness to improve the bonding of the resin and the
glass fibers (wet-out,) and cooling the resin to lock the
glass-fibers in place. Also at this time, any scrims, fabrics, or films that might be required
for the specific application are added to the outer surfaces
of the LWRT core material.
Materials produced with this process are
typically sold by areal weight (mass per unit area) usually expressed in
grams per square meter (gsm).
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SuperLite® |
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Description: |
The original
formulation of LWRT material, this product is used
extensively throughout the automotive industry. |
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Typical Markets: |
Automotive, Heavy
Truck, Construction & Agricultural vehicles,
Industrial vehicles. |
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Typical Applications |
Headliners, sunshades,
parcel shelves, trunk trim, other interior soft
trim, underbody shields. |
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Thermoplastic resin: |
Polypropylene (PP) |
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Reinforcing fiber
material: |
Glass |
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Standard areal weights
(gsm): |
600, 700, 800, 900,
1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000 |
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Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) |
English |
Español
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Product Datasheets: |
Due to the complexity
of the SuperLite product line (ie; different areal
weights, different construction of surface
materials, color, etc.), datasheets for this product
are available only upon request. |
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SuperLite VGX® |
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SuperLite XLT® |
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Description: |
This version of LWRT
is the second generation of SuperLite. It offers
similar properties at a typical areal weight
reduction of around 200gsm. It also has superior
lofting capability and acoustical properties. |
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Typical Markets: |
Automotive, Heavy
Truck, Construction & Agricultural vehicles,
Industrial vehicles. |
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Typical Applications |
Headliners, sunshades,
parcel shelves, trunk trim, other interior soft
trim, underbody shields. |
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Thermoplastic resin: |
Polypropylene (PP) |
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Reinforcing fiber
material: |
Glass |
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Standard areal weights
(gsm): |
600, 700, 800, 900,
1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000 |
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Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) |
English |
Español |
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Product Datasheets: |
SLXLTA.0641BZ |
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VolcaLite® |
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Description: |
This version of LWRT
was developed to address recycling issues for
automotive headliners and utilizes basalt fibers
rather than glass to achieve much higher temperature
capability for the fibers. |
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Typical Markets: |
Automotive, Heavy
Truck, Construction & Agricultural vehicles,
Industrial vehicles. |
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Typical Applications |
Headliners, sunshades,
parcel shelves, trunk trim, other interior soft
trim, underbody shields. |
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Thermoplastic resin: |
Polypropylene (PP) |
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Reinforcing fiber
material: |
Basalt |
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Standard areal weights
(gsm): |
600, 700, 800, 900,
1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000 |
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Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) |
English |
Español |
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Product Datasheets: |
VLSTDA.0901BT |
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Aero-Lite® |
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Description: |
By utilizing
Polyetherimide as the thermoplastic resin we are
able to achieve flame, smoke & toxicity (FST)
characteristics that meet or exceed the demanding
needs of the aerospace industy for interior panels
on commercial aircraft. |
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Typical Markets: |
Aerospace. |
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Typical Applications |
Window surrounds,
ceiling and roof liners |
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Thermoplastic resin: |
Polyetherimide (PEI) |
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Reinforcing fiber
material: |
Glass |
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Standard areal weights
(gsm): |
1250, 1500, 1750, 2000 |
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Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) |
English |
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Product Datasheets: |
ALSTDA.1501BG
ALSTDA.2001BG |
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