“Nelcote E-720 Epoxy Prepreg, 581 Quartz Reinforced” is fiberglass. It is a two-part epoxy resin material that consists of stiffenings in the form of fibers and a hardener. This material is most often helpful in manufacturing composite parts for industrial purposes, but it has also been beneficial in automotive applications. Unfortunately, the material is not suitable for direct exposure to sunlight as it will lose its mechanical and physical properties.
It is not uncommon for aircraft and other vehicle manufacturers to use this material to manufacture their parts. This material has found the most success in manufacturing aircraft, such as those used by Rayming PCB & Assembly. It has also been helpful to manufacture orthopedic implants, boats, automobile items such as clutch facings, and various other items.
Physical properties
The physical properties of this material are typical for composite material. The density of the material is in the range of 1.5 to 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) and has low thermal expansion. This means that it will expand or contract less than other materials when subjected to thermal changes, making it highly resistant to thermal stresses. The material’s glass fabric, fibers, and epoxy matrix set the thermal expansion.
Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties are also fairly typical, with a tensile strength in the range of 8 to 10 gigapascals (GPa), a compressive strength in 9 to 10 GPa, and a flexural modulus close to 500 GPa. These properties make working with and easy on tools when machining and shaping it. In addition, it has good wear resistance and good dimensional stability.
Electrical properties
The electrical properties are non-existent. The material is electrically conductive but is not a good insulator. Therefore, we cannot use it in requiring electrical insulation.
Chemical Properties
The chemical resistance of this material is fairly poor, and we should not use the material should remain in these conditions. At elevated temperatures, it will react with various chemicals, including mild acids, sodium hydroxide, and water. Therefore, we should use it in a controlled environment and appropriate measures to prevent exposure to chemicals, moisture, and other harmful substances.
As stated above, this material is not suitable for use in direct sunlight. It will lose its mechanical and physical properties after only a short exposure period. It is also highly susceptible to moisture absorption. The fiberglass will absorb as much as 20% of its weight in water after only 24 hours of exposure. Therefore, we should not store the material in a dry location with low relative humidity.
As a fibrous material, this material will produce health hazards during its processing and handling. The fibrous materials can become airborne and irritate the respiratory tract, so all personnel who contact this material must wear respiratory protection rated for nuisance dust. The workers should also wear eye protection and gloves to prevent any skin contact with the material.
The manufacturing process for producing this material is fairly simple. First, we process and mill the raw material to produce fiberglass. Next, we extrude this fiberglass through a die and then cured in a closed oven. The fibers are then stretched in a mold, resulting in the part’s final shape.
This material can be challenging, but the correct tools can make it easier.
Processing
The processing of this material is straightforward. The raw material is ground and milled in a rotary tool. We should accurately measure the module we are going to use. The part should have a significant amount of bimorphism, meaning that there will be more variation in strength along the X direction than along the Z direction. This gives the technicians more control over how easily the part will successfully deform in bending applications.
The fibrous component of the material is extruded through a die and then cured in a closed oven. This part of the processing will determine how easily the part will bend when the true stresses are applied. The fibers are then stretched in a mold and exothermically cured to cure the resin.
After being processed, you need to select this material for your application. We can use it for many applications, but you must make certain considerations.
Uses of Nelcote E-720 Epoxy Prepreg, 581 Quartz Reinforced
The first consideration is the final shape of the part. The part must be in a predetermined shape before it is processed. In addition, the part must be as symmetrical as possible and have as even a surface finish as possible. This will help ensure that the material will process correctly with little to no warpage and low variation in strength.
We should also determine the type of load imposed on the part. When we fly the part, it will be subject to a certain weight from the aircraft itself and its people. When used in a structural application on buildings, bridges, or other structures that need support, the part must be suitable for the exact amount of stress.
1. Composite parts
The best use for this material is to make composite parts. These are almost always stronger than their composites parts counterparts made with aluminum alloys because they have much higher resistance to deformations. Composites can withstand more strain before breaking and recover from deformation more quickly than their counterparts. This makes the parts more resistant to fatigue, which is the reason for failure in many parts. Composite parts also have more excellent resistance to impact than traditional aluminum alloys. This can be very important when the part could potentially be dropped or impacted.
2. Fairings
Another excellent application for this material is to make fairing parts. The best example of this is aircraft parts. These components must fit perfectly onto the aircraft’s body but do not require any strength or durability. The material can also be helpful for radar and radio antennas and movable horizontal surfaces like those on an airplane tail.
3. Inlet Ducts
Another application for this material is to make inlet ducts. The best use of this material would be to make parts used in engines and other machinery. The material is lighter than aluminum alloys and can allow the part to vibrate less, reducing the noise produced by the machinery.
4. Nacelles
The final application for this material would be to make nacelles for aircraft. Nacelles are a part of the aircraft that can significantly affect the performance of a plane. They consist of parts that we will not expose to any harsh conditions, as they are away from other components. The best use of this material is to make components that cannot vibrate, reducing the amount of noise produced by the machinery.
5. Radomes
The final application for this material would be to make radomes. The radomes help to resist the impact of the space around a satellite, allowing the satellite to operate in an environment that can produce high winds. This helps to protect equipment from damage or erosion.
6. Secondary Aircraft Structures
The final application for this material would be to make parts used in secondary aircraft structures. These parts include struts and tails that do not require much strength or support but still must withstand the forces of flight.
Conclusion
Nelcote E-720 is an excellent material used for many different applications. The material has very strong fibers and provides excellent resistance to impact and vibration. The best aspect of this material is that it can be helpful in various environments, including those exposed to the elements or harsh chemicals.
The best use for this material is to manufacture composite parts. These parts give the greatest resistance to fatigue and impact because they can recover from strain much faster than their aluminum counterparts.
