Process description

Resin-soaked fibers form a strong bond


Filament winding is a process in which continuous fibers (usually glass or carbon fibers, but also aramid or kevlar fibers) are wound around a rotating core to create a structural part. The core can be as well rotationally symmetrical as rectangular or polygonal. The fibers are impregnated with resin to create a strong bonding between the fibers. As the core rotates, the filaments are deposited onto it. The combination of feed (feed eye) and rotation speed (core) describes the later winding angle and as well as the rigidity and strength of the structure created in this way in the three room axes. As soon as the filaments are completely applied to the core, the component produced is cured and then demoulded.

Fibers

What material can be used?


A large number of fibers can be used for filament winding:

  • Glass Fiber: Glass fiber is the most commonly used fiber in filament winding. It offers good strength and rigidity at low cost and is easy to handle.
  • Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber is more expensive than glass fiber but offers higher strength and stiffness as well as better fatigue resistance. They are ideal for applications that require high performance, such as in the aerospace industry.
  • Aramid, basalt and natural fibers: are currently still the exception and can be processed alongside a large number of other semi-finished fiber products.

The choice of fiber depends on the requirements of the end product, such as desired strength, stiffness, temperature resistance and chemical resistance.

Resins

Mechanical strength and chemical resistance


The specific requirements of the end product are decisive for the choice of the resin system. Basically, resin systems are used that have good adhesion to the fibers and have high mechanical strength and chemical resistance.

The most common resin systems used in filament winding are:

  • Epoxy resin: Epoxy resins are one of the most common resin types for fiber composites. They offer high strength, rigidity and chemical resistance. However, epoxy resins can be brittle and are not as temperature resistant as other resin systems.
  • Polyurethane resin: Polyurethane resins offer high impact resistance and are more flexible than other resin systems. However, they are more susceptible to moisture ingress and have lower chemical resistance.
  • Polyester, polyvinylester and phenolic resins: are other resin systems that we work with and which can provide inherent benefits.

The choice of resin system depends on the end product requirements, including strength, stiffness, chemical resistance and temperature resistance.

AVANCO Composites can look back on decades of experience in the field of fiber winding. The majority of fiber composite products manufactured today and shipped to our customers are manufactured using the filament winding process. Like all other processes, the products manufactured in this way benefit from the high level of vertical integration and the possibility of customizing the products and adapting them to the application of our customers.

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