EP2699721A1

EP2699721A1 - Irradiation device for fibre composite material

Info

Publication number: EP2699721A1
Application number: EP12714946.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sven Linow
Original assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
Current assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
Priority date: 2011-04-17
Filing date: 2012-03-22
Publication date: 2014-02-26
Also published as: DE102011017328A1; WO2012143076A1; CN103620102A; US20140044965A1

Abstract

The invention relates to device comprising a holding region that contains a first holder for a first yarn and at least one further holder for at least one further yarn, and comprising at least one contact region for contacting the first yarn and the at least one further yarn, wherein at least one source of radiation is provided between the holding region and the contact region.

Description

Irradiation device for fiber composite material

description

Field of the invention

The invention relates generally to a device for producing a composite, to a process for producing a composite and to a composite obtainable by this process. In particular, the invention serves to optimize the treatment of yarns during the composite manufacturing process by means of radiation.

State of the art

From the state of the art, apparatuses for processing fiber or yarns for fiber composite materials are known, in which at least two yarns or fibers are first interwoven or otherwise connected to one another and then subjected to a heating process in order to achieve a sufficient connection or fusion of the fibers To get yarns. This is described for example in US 4,800,113 and known for various applications.

It is known from EP-A-0 717 133 and US Pat. No. 5,688,594 that various types of fibers or fabrics can be processed together in order to be able to provide a permanently deformable textile material. Here, too, a structure is woven from one or more yarns, which structure is subsequently joined to other structures by the action of heat in order to be able to use different properties of the individual materials in the composite material.

DE-A-10 2007 037 316 describes how thermoplastic molding compositions based on thermoplastics are produced using an electrically insulating, thermally conductive filler and a further thermally and electrically conductive filler. These partially insulating thermoplastics and the electrically conductive thermoplastics must be assembled in a composite to obtain their respective properties and thus serve for the purpose of a well-insulated electrical conductor. The use of carbon fibers to reinforce thermoplastics into composite materials is described in EP-A-1 988 118. Again, a heating of the already contacted fibers is described by contact heat.

The production of three-dimensional structures based on composite materials is set forth in EP-A-0 884 153. For this purpose, a molding process is used in which the materials are heated together and thereby pressed into a three-dimensional shape.

DE-A-10 2009 034 767 is concerned with organic sheet structural components, which consist partly of structurally reinforcing plastics and thermoplastics. These materials are also manufactured as composite materials.

DE-A-10 2005 027 879 describes the production of a fiber composite material from a matrix and a circular braid embedded in the matrix. Hybrid yarns, for example, which are processed with other synthetic fibers, carbon fibers or glass fibers to form a kink-resistant fiber composite material are used for producing the round braid.

The composites obtainable from the processes known from the prior art are still in need of improvement in terms of their material properties. In addition, the efficiency of these processes should be improved. Thus, the composites produced by the processes of the prior art usually have a homogeneity that is to be improved.

Object of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome at least one of the disadvantages resulting from the prior art. In particular, the material properties of the composite materials should be improved while increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

In addition, an object of the invention is to improve the adhesion of the individual layers of the composite.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to reduce the formation of gas bubbles in the superposition of the layers to be processed to the composite according to the invention. Thus, a uniform as possible composite with a smooth surface should be obtained.

In addition, an object of the invention is to provide as efficiently as possible a composite with as few defects as possible. description

A contribution to the solution of at least one of the above objects is provided by the invention having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are shown in the dependent claims.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a device including:

a holding area comprising a first holder for a first yarn and at least one further holder for at least one further yarn,

at least one contact area for contacting the first yarn and the at least one further yarn,

wherein at least one radiation source is provided between the mounting area and the contact area.

The device serves to bring a first and at least one further yarn into contact with one another in such a way that a fiber composite or a fiber composite precursor, also called composite precursor, is formed. The composite precursor can be further processed into a fiber composite, which is also referred to as a fiber composite material or fiber composite material. The yarn, also referred to as fiber or fabric, can be made of any material that would be selected by the skilled person to form a fiber composite material. For example, carbon, glass, ceramic or plastic materials, for example in the form of fibers, or combinations thereof may be used as the starting component. Thus, hybrid yarns can be used which already contain more than one starting component. Preferred hybrid yarns include plastic as well as glass or carbon or a combination of the two. Depending on later use, the yarns or fibers may have inorganic or organic additives to increase or decrease, for example, electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity of the composite material. The plastic materials preferably present as fibers may be thermoplastics or thermosetting plastics or a combination thereof. The plastic materials are preferably selected from the group consisting of polyamides (PA), polybutyl terephthlate (PBT), polyesters, polyester amides, polycarbonates (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyether ketones (PEK), polyacrylonitriles (PN), polyolefins, polyimides ( PI), polyurethanes (PU) rubber and aramids, as well as at least two of them. Preferably, the materials are selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), poly (bis-benzimidazo-benzophenanthroline) (BBB), poly (amide-imides) (PAI), polybenzimidazole (PBI), poly (p-phenylenebenzo -bisoxazole) (PBO), poly (p-) phenylenebenzo-bisthiazole) (PBT), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetheretherketone ketone (PEEKK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetherimides (PEI), Polyethersulfone (PESU), poly (m-phenylene-isophthalamide) (PMIA), poly (m-phenylene-terephthalamide) (PMTA), poly (p-phenylene-isophthalamide) (PPIA), poly (p-phenylene -pyromellitimide) (PPPI), poly (p-phenylene) (PPP), poly (phenylene sulfide) (PPS), poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PESU ) and neoprene and at least two of them. Particularly preferred are materials selected from the group consisting of PES, PEEK, PEI, PPA, PPS and PI or at least two thereof. By processing different materials, the different properties of the materials in the composite can be combined. Thus, the heat resistance of a composite can be positively influenced by the appropriate choice of a plastic, while the introduction of carbon can affect the electrical conductivity or tensile strength and tensile strength. For increasing the electrical conductivity, it is also possible to co-process metals as yarns or as additives, for example in the form of particles.

After contacting the first yarn or one of the at least one further yarn with the first yarn or one of the at least one further yarn in the contact region, for example, in a subsequent step, the composite precursor, which is preferably in the form of a profile, can be consolidated, ie solidified. Often, this consolidation occurs by heating the composite precursor. Here, temperatures are often in a range of 180 to 380 ° C, preferably in a range of 200 to 300 ° C, and more preferably in a range of 210 to 270 ° C. In general, when selecting the temperatures, they are above the softening temperature of the plastics, but still below the temperature at which decomposition of the plastics would already be observed during the period of consolidation. Consolidation can also be done under pressure. In this case, pressures are often in a range of 100 mbar to 30 bar, preferably in a range of 200 mbar to 20 bar and particularly preferably in a range of 250 mbar to 10 bar. For example, further contacting steps of previously contacted yarns with or without preheating may take place. The yarn or the fabric may have various shapes. If it is a non-woven or otherwise processed yarn, it may preferably be a thread-like structure, which may preferably have a length in the range of 1 to 100 kilometers.

The individual filaments, filaments or fibers of the yarn preferably have a thickness in a range from 1 μm to 100 μm, and preferably in a range from 1.1 to 15 μm. The yarn may preferably have a thickness in a range of 0.05 mm to 10 mm, preferably in a range of 0.1 to 5 mm, more preferably in a range of 1 to 3 mm. If it is a yarn around a woven fabric, knitted fabric, scrim or tape, this may preferably have a basis weight in the range of 50 g / m ² to 5,000 g / m ² , preferably in a range of 100 to 1000 g / m ² and particularly preferably in a range of 100 to 200 g / m ² .

The first yarn or the at least one further yarn can also already be presented in a woven, braided or knitted state, as well as a unidirectional tape on the holder. In this case, the woven, braided or knitted structure may have been produced by processing fibers of different starting materials. The starting materials may be the materials already mentioned for the yarns and any conceivable combination thereof.

In addition to yarns, it is also possible to use knitted fabrics, scrims or tapes, preferably so-called unidirectional tapes. The latter generally have a plurality of juxtaposed and extending in the same direction single yarns which are interconnected. For these tapes, the explanations apply to yarns accordingly. Thus, these tapes may preferably have a basis weight in the range of 50 g / m ² to 5,000 g / m ² , preferably in a range of 100 to 1000 g / m ² and more preferably in a range of 100 to 200 g / m ² .

The first yarn and the at least one further yarn are mounted on a holder. Preferably, the yarns are wound on the support to be easily accessible during the processing of the yarns by simply unrolling them. The brackets are designed, for example, as rods, for example in the form of a bobbin or bobbin, around which the yarn is wound. If the yarn is already in a woven, braided or knitted state, the holder has, for example, a planar structure in the form of a shelf. The holder may be any material suitable for use in the device. Preferably, the holder is made of wood or plastic, but it can also be made of metal or a ceramic. Their dimensions are adapted to the dimensions of the device. The length of the rod-shaped holder, for example, in a range of

1 to 50 cm, preferably in a range of 1 and 20 cm, more preferably in a range of 2 to 10 cm. The diameter of the rod-shaped holder may for example be in a range of 1 to 100 mm, preferably in a range of 5 to 50 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 10 to 40 mm. The first and at least one further holder together form a holding region of the device. If the device has a housing, then the mounting area can be arranged inside but also outside the housing. The brackets may be at least partially surrounded by a bracket housing. This support housing, for example, shield radiation from the radiation source in front of the yarn on the holder, for example, to prevent premature aging of the yarn. The holding area is preferably designed such that it makes the yarn accessible in the device unhindered. However, the holding area should be so far away from the radiation source and the contact area that the yarn on the holder can not be prematurely loaded, for example by radiation, temperature, pressure or impurities. However, in order to allow an unnecessarily long transport path for the yarn from the holder to the radiation source and the contact area, the holding area should also not be too far away.

The device also has a contact area. This contact area serves for contacting the first yarn and the at least one further yarn, which, as already mentioned, can also be present as a woven fabric. Preferably, the contact region is designed such that at least one of the yarns can be pulled into it. The contact region may, for example, have a length extension in a range of 0.1 mm to 10 m, preferably in a range of 0.5 mm to 1 m, particularly preferably in a range of 1 mm to 30 cm. The elongation was usually based on the size of the area in which the yarns, fabrics or tapes are brought together and processed into the pre-bond by looping such as braiding, crocheting, laying or knitting at least two of the yarns, fabrics or tapes. The contact region may have a guide for at least one of the yarns, usually in the form of a preferably elongated recess. The length dimension depends on the yarn used. For example, if it is a non-woven yarn having a thickness in a range of 0.1 to 10 mm, the length extent of the contact area is a few millimeters to 10 cm. However, if it is already woven yarns so the contact area can be several meters. In this expansion area of the contact area, the at least two yarns meet. Preferably, the contact area is within the housing or within an opening of the housing when the device has a housing. Through the opening in the housing of the resulting composite or the composite precursor is passed out of the device in order then possibly to be subjected to further process steps. Due to the arrangement of the contact region to the radiation source and to the mounting region, at least the first yarn or at least one of the at least one further yarn is heated by the radiation of the radiation source. The contact area can be different in size and geometry be designed as long as it allows contacting of at least the first yarn and at least one of the at least one further yarn. Thus, the contact area for individualized yarns may be in the range of a few, preferably in a range of 1 to 10,000 cm ^3, and more preferably in a range of 10 to 500 cm ³ . For yarns in the form of larger fabrics, the contact area can also be several cubic meters. The first yarn may be made of the same material as the at least one other yarn. Alternatively, the first yarn may be made of a different material than the at least one other yarn. As already mentioned, one of the yarns may already be in an already woven, braided or knitted state. Again, the first yarn or at least one of the at least one other yarn or all the yarns that are contacted in the contact area may have been passed through the radiation area of the radiation source.

The device furthermore has at least one radiation source, which is provided between the holder region and the contact region. The yarn is preferably guided from the holder in the holder area past the radiation source to the contact area. In this case, it is heated by the radiation of the radiation source and contacted in the contact region with at least one further yarn. The further yarn can also be guided past the radiation source, but it can also be guided directly from the further holder without preheating to the contact region. In this way, a part of the yarns can be preheated and another part of the yarns not preheated in the contact area can be introduced. It is inventively preferred that at least a portion of the yarns are uniformly preheated by the radiation source over its cross section. As even here, a deviation from the target temperature in Celsius of less than 5% is preferably understood, this corresponds to a preheating of 200 ° C according to the invention a deviation of ± 10 ° C. Deviations less than ± 5 ° C from the target temperature are preferred, and ± 2 ° C is particularly preferred.

The radiation source can be any radiation source known to the person skilled in the art, which makes it possible to cause a temperature increase in its environment. This can be a radiation source that emits radiation in the visible but also in the non-visible area. This is preferably electromagnetic radiation, preferably thermal radiation or infrared radiation. The at least one radiation source can emit radiation in a wavelength range from 200 nm to 1 mm, preferably in a wavelength range from 500 nm to 20 μm, particularly preferably in a wavelength range from 780 nm to 10 μm. The radiation source can also be a plurality of radiators, which can preferably be arranged in different geometries relative to one another. together They form the radiation area of the device. It may be, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped radiator, which may be arranged in a circle or side by side. Alternatively, it can also be a plurality of punctiform radiators. Preferably, a homogeneously heated radiation area is generated within the device by the radiation source. It is furthermore preferred to carry out at least part of the yarns through this homogeneously heated radiation area. Thus, the most uniform possible heating of the yarns can be achieved.

The device may additionally comprise a housing which surrounds at least parts of the device. Thus, at least the radiation source can be surrounded by a housing in order not to radiate the radiation into the environment. Furthermore, at least one of the holders or the contact area can also be located in the housing. The housing is adapted in its dimensions to the previously described parts that it can accommodate. Thus, the housing may have a volume in a range of 1 to 50,000 l, preferably in a range of 10 to 20,000 l, more preferably in a range of 100 to 10,000 l. Preferably, the housing is made of a material that is not changed in its shape and function by the radiation. These may be, for example, heat-resistant plastics or metal. Furthermore, tempering units, preferably ventilating devices, for example in the form of fans, which are intended to prevent overheating of the device, may be located in the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, at least one of the at least one radiation source is an infrared radiator. An infrared radiator emits electromagnetic waves in a wavelength range of 700 to 20,000 nm, preferably in a range of 1,000 to 10,000 nm, more preferably in a range of 1,500 to 2,000 nm.

Thermal infrared radiators are characterized in particular by the wavelength at which the maximum spectral emission takes place. This peak wavelength is directly related to the temperature of the emitting surface. In a preferred embodiment of the device, at least one of the at least one radiation source has a power in a range from 1 to 100 W / cm, preferably in a range from 2 to 50 W / cm, more preferably in a range of 5 to 20 W / cm, based on the length of the radiator.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device, at least one of the at least one radiation source is annular. In this case, for example, a plurality of elongate radiators may be arranged in a ring or a radiator may be designed as a ring. Furthermore, it is preferred to design the radiation source in a cone shape. This in turn can be achieved by arranging several annular radiators with different diameters be executed or with a radiator resulting in a plurality of loops a cone shape. In a conical shape, it is further preferred that the cross section of the cone facing the holding area is larger than the cross section of the cone facing the contact area.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a yarn line extending through the first yarn between the support region and the contact region lies within a ring formed by the annular radiation source. Thus, a plurality of yarns fed into the contact area from the support portion can be uniformly irradiated and heated.

Further preferably, the mounting portion is movable relative to the contact area. Preferably, the first and the at least one further holder move about an axis passing through the contact region, wherein preferably the holders execute a rotational movement about this axis. In addition, the holding area is preferably movable relative to the radiation source. In this case, it is preferable for the radiation source to be rigid and the holding region and preferably the holders for the radiation source to be movable. The movable arrangement of the holding area to the contact area ensures that the tension on the yarn, when processed in the device, can not become so great that the yarn becomes too thin or breaks. In addition, this movement contributes to a uniform as possible heating of the yarns.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one reflector is provided between the mounting area and the contact area. The at least one reflector can be arranged parallel to the orientation of the radiation source. It is also possible for a plurality of reflectors to be arranged around the radiation source such that the radiation region is heated homogeneously. This is particularly preferred in a conical arrangement of radiation source and reflectors. Thus, reflectors can be located inside or outside the cone, which reflect the radiation of the radiation source back into the radiation area. The at least one reflector can also consist of any material that is suitable for the reflection of electromagnetic waves. These are mainly metallic surfaces. Thus, the at least one reflector may have a metallic surface selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, in particular steel, silver, gold and copper or at least two thereof. Preferably, at least the surface of the reflector is made of aluminum. The reflectors can serve, on the one hand, to heat the radiation area homogeneously and, on the other hand, to use the energy of the radiation source efficiently. In a preferred embodiment, the reflector is specular or diffusely reflective. Specular reflective surfaces are preferably blank, polished or lapped. As diffuse reflecting surfaces come in addition to the above Materials, preferably in sandblasted or Glasgeperlter surface structure and ceramic reflectors in question.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact region comprises a yarn draw device or a yarn draw device follows the contact region or both. The yarn draw device can be configured differently, depending on which shape or shape the yarn or fabric has. The yarn draw device can, for example, be configured in the form of a pair of pliers which pull the precursor composite material formed at the contact region out of the contact region. An alternative embodiment of the yarn draw means may be tapes or rollers which enclose the resulting composite or precursor composite material and pull the material away from the contact area by moving the rollers or belts. This type of movement is known from the known in the art pultrusion, the application of which is regulated for example in the standard EN 13706-1: 2002. Due to the pulling movement of the yarn, the yarn or tissue is moved, preferably uniformly, from the holder to the contact region. If it is a yarn or fabric which is to be heated before being contacted, the yarn or fabric is automatically guided past the radiation source on the way from the holder to the contact region. The yarn pulling device pulls the yarn or fabric, for example at a speed in a range of 1 mm / min to 100 m / min, preferably in a range of 10 mm / min to 10 m / min, particularly preferably in a range of 10 cm / min to 5 m / min. It may also be provided in the device according to the invention that at least two groups of mounting and contact areas follow one another with a radiation area provided between the two. This is always preferred when a pre-bond or a resulting composite with two or more layers is to arise. In this case, a yarn draw device can follow at least one contact region. Therefore, the Garnzugeinrichtung can move not only the gran or tape directly but also via a pre-bond or composite indirectly. If fabrics such as scrim, knitted fabric, fabrics or tapes are used according to the invention, they can be moved by the yarn tensioning device comparable.

In one aspect of the device according to the invention, the contact region has a shaped body. The shaped body can take any shape that is suitable to receive the at least two yarns and preferably also to lead. The molded body can accommodate at least the first and at least one of the at least one further yarn together. This may be, for example, an elongated shaped body, such as a pipe or a mandrel. Preferably, the yarns, wovens or tapes to be contacted are rotated about the shaped body and thereby placed over one another or braided. In this way, a tubular profile of the fiber composite material can be obtained. The shaped body can also be triangular, quadrangular or polygonal, elliptical or rhombic in its cross section so that profiles of the composite or of the composite precursor of the most varied of shapes and forms can be obtained.

Furthermore, an embodiment according to the invention is preferred in that at least the first yarn or the further yarn is arranged between the holding region and contacting region relative to the at least one radiation source such that the irradiated part of the first yarn or of the further yarn changes from a first temperature Ti to a second temperature T. ₂ , is heated. As a result of the irradiation by the radiation source, the yarns which were guided through the radiation area have an elevated temperature T ₂ compared with the original temperature T 1 which the respective yarn possessed on the holder. The temperature Ti of the respective yarn should preferably be below the softening point of the respective yarn so that the yarn or fabric does not tear off while it is being guided to the contact region. Usually, the temperature is in a range of -10 to 60 ° C, preferably in a range of 5 to 40 ° C, particularly preferably in a range of 15 to 40 ° C. By passing the yarn through the jet area, the yarn is preferably heated to a temperature T ₂ . Here, temperatures T _{2 are} often in a range of 180 to 380 ° C, preferably in a range of 200 to 300 ° C and more preferably in a range of 210 to 270 ° C. In general, in the selection of the temperatures T ₂ that they are above the softening temperature of the plastics, but still below the temperature at which during the period of irradiation even a decomposition of the plastics would be observed, are.

In order to be able to carry out a suitable control of the temperature conditions in the device, the device according to the invention can furthermore have a pyrometer, which serves to contactlessly measure the heat radiation in a specific region in the device. In this way, the control of the at least one radiation source can be made so that overheating of the yarns or tissue can be avoided. Thus, in addition to the pyrometer, a control unit with the pyrometer and the Strahlungsqueiie be connected, which regulates the energy input into the radiation source, so that a deviation of the temperature T2 of the yarn before it enters the contact area in a range of 0, 1 to 10 ° C. , preferably in a range of 0.5 to 5 ° C, more preferably in a range of 0.5 to 2 ° C can be ensured. The control of the temperature T2 is very demanding, especially when using hybrid yarns, since these contain at least two components which have a different softening point. Since the yarn should be preheated enough on one side, but not too hot on the other side In order to avoid any damage, in hybrid yarns a temperature below the decomposition temperature, but preferably below the softening temperatures of the more temperature-sensitive component, should be selected.

^• Preferably, a so-called quotient pyrometer is used, which is directed to the yarns near the contact point and, as far as the cooking does not fill the entire measuring range of the pyrometer, on a particularly cold or otherwise provided with a very low emission or reflection surface. This is preferably an opening on the opposite wall, behind which there is a room with cool or cooled walls. In addition to the temperature control, a ray-tracing process can be used. For this purpose, we measure the radiation characteristic of the radiation source and then it can be calculated by mathematical calculations, as the heat radiation in the radiation field used will look like. In the ray-tracing process, it is preferred that from the modeled radiation source (s) rays be traced that emanate from random directions and from randomly selected positions. For each of these rays is then calculated when and where he meets other surfaces, how he behaves there, so whether it is absorbed, scattered or reflected. Each beam is tracked until its energy drops below a certain threshold, for example, or reaches a predetermined number of surfaces. To achieve a high accuracy

- the accuracy of the models of the radiation sources,

the accuracy of the description of the optical surfaces,

- the detailing of the model of the equipment to be calculated,

- the chosen cancellation criteria and

- the number of rays tracked

significant. For a device according to the invention about 1,000,000 to 10,000,000,000 beams are tracked for relevant results. In order to determine the quantities to be calculated, virtual detectors are positioned along the yarn paths via the software, which detect the power, spectral irradiance, spectral radiance or other quantities to be determined by integration of beams passing through the respective detectors. For example, a device for the ray-tracing process is offered by ZEMAX LLC, Delevue, WA, USA.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method for producing a composite is described, comprising the steps: I. Providing a first yarn and at least one further yarn with a temperature Tü

II. Irradiating at least a portion of the first yarn or the at least one further yarn or both;

III. Contacting the first yarn and the at least one further yarn, wherein at least one of these yarns has a contact temperature T ₂ above Ti, wherein a tensile force acts on at least one of these yarns during contacting.

In general, the statements on individual features in connection with the device according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention and vice versa. In the method, the yarns may have the composition already described for the device. The temperature ΤΊ of the first yarn and the at least one other yarn may be the same or different. Preferably, the temperatures TT of the first yarn and the at least one other yarn are approximately equal. This is particularly advantageous because the yarns can be stored in a same mounting area. The provision of the first and at least one further yarn with a temperature Ti is preferably carried out in a holding area with holders as described for the device. As already mentioned for the device, the temperature T, the ambient ambient temperature correspond, which is usually between 5 and 40 ° C. For T 1, the same ranges are applicable as described for the device. The yarn, which is guided past the radiation source and irradiated, is thereby heated to a temperature T ₂ above the temperature. This temperature T ₂ is also in the ranges as previously described for the device. After the at least one yarn has been irradiated, this yarn heated to the temperature T _{2 is} contacted with the first or the further yarn in a contact region. Both yarns can have a temperature T ₂ or only one of the two game. In this process acts on at least one of these yarns a tensile force. This tensile force can be made by a yarn draw device, as has already been described for the device.

In the manner described, for example, a tubular circular braid may be produced which, for example, has a cylindrical shape. Depending on the requirement profile, the cross-section of the braid can be or be shaped differently and be different in size. Normally, the round braids have a circular cross-section. For applications in which the rod-shaped fiber composite material is designed to accommodate one or more lines for current or fluids, circular cross-sections are considered to be advantageous. However, for example, elliptical, rhombic, triangular, quadrangular or more complex cross-sections conceivable and expedient in individual applications, for example in the manufacture of components for the body shop. Since the composite materials or the composite precursors are usually produced continuously, for example in the pultrusion process, the resulting composites can then be cut to the required size in a cutting process. In addition, the composites before or after cutting can be supplied to further finishing processes, such as, for example, spraying with paints, lacquers or other polymers.

In a preferred method, the first yarn includes carbon or glass or both. As already described for the device, the first yarn or fabric, but also the at least one further yarn that is provided can have different materials. For example, one of the yarns may consist of a composite of a plastic with carbon or glass. However, it may also consist of a carbon, for example a carbon fiber alone or of a glass, for example a glass fiber alone or a mixture of the two. All conceivable mixtures are conceivable, such as those described for the device.

Further preferably, the irradiation is carried out by infrared rays. As already described for the device, the irradiation can take place in a wide wavelength range. If it is carried out with the aid of an infrared radiator, the wavelength is preferably in a range from 780 to 10,000 nm.

In addition, preferably, the irradiation is performed at a power in a range of 1 to 100 W / cm. The power refers to the length of the spotlight. The radiator can thereby reach a temperature in a range of 600 to 3,000 ° C, preferably 1,000 ° C to 2,400 ° C and more preferably from 1,250 ° C to 1,800 ° C.

Further preferably, the contacting takes place in the presence of a polymer. This polymer may be one of the group as described for the yarn in the apparatus or a different material. It is preferably a thermoplastic material.

In addition, preferably after contacting, a composite precursor is obtained, wherein the composite precursor is brought to a temperature T ₃ above the temperature T ₂ . As already described for the device, the composite precursor obtained by the process described above can be processed in further steps. One possibility for further treatment is in a pultrusion process in which the resulting composite precursor is heated to a temperature T ₃ which is higher than the temperature T ₂ at which the at least two yarns were contacted. This temperature T ₃ should be higher than the softening point of one of the Be components of the composite precursor. The temperatures T ₃ may often be in a range of from 180 to 380 ° C, preferably in a range of from 200 to 300 ° C, and more preferably in a range of from 210 to 270 ° C. In general, when selecting the temperatures, they are above the softening temperature of the plastics, but still below the temperature at which decomposition of the plastics would already be observed during the period of consolidation. This treatment of the composite precursor with elevated temperature serves to fuse together or sinter the constituents or components of the composite precursor, so that after curing there is a consolidated composite, ie a composite with the desired density. In a further aspect, the device described above is used in the method described above.

In a further aspect, a composite is proposed, obtainable by the method described above. This composite can be used for different purposes. Thus, such composites are often used as a substitute for heavy metal parts in the body shop or aircraft because of their high tensile strength.

In a further aspect of the invention there is proposed a product comprising a composite as described above and a further component other than the composite. Such products may be, for example, the three-dimensional structures described in DE-A-10 2009 034 767 or EP-A-1 988 118. Such products may also be vehicles which move on land, water or air, in particular driven. Such vehicles may be, for example, aircraft, ships, bicycles or vehicles. Such products may also be buildings or parts of buildings, such as roofs, facades, windows or piping systems.

In addition, the comments on the radiator according to the invention also apply correspondingly to the device according to the invention for substance testing and to the method according to the invention for substance testing. This applies in particular to materials and spatial configurations.

Brief description of the figures

Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, in particular in conjunction with the subordinate claims. In this case, the respective features can be implemented on their own or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the embodiments. The embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate the same or functionally identical or with respect to their functions corresponding elements. In detail:

Figure 1: Schematic representation of a cross section through a device according to the invention

FIG. 2: Schematic representation of a cross section through a device according to the invention as a detail from FIG. 1

Figure 3 Schematic representation of a method for heating a yarn according to the invention

FIG. 1 shows an example of a device 10 according to the invention. A cross section through the device 10 is shown. This device 10 has a housing 15 with an opening 70. In the housing 15 there is at least one radiation source 20, here in the form of a plurality of annular radiators 20. The annular radiators 20 form a ring 25. This ring 25 surrounds a yarn line 38. This yarn line 38 can either only from the yarn 35 or from both yarns 35 and 45 be formed. The annular radiator 20 surrounded in a conical arrangement a tube 120 which is guided through the openings 70 and 70 ^'of the housing 15. The annular radiators 20 are surrounded on their inner side, which faces the tube 120, by an inner reflector 90 and on its outer side, which faces away from the tube 120, by an outer reflector 80. The annular radiators 20 together with the reflectors 80 and 90 represent the radiation area 50. During use of the device 20, at least one first yarn 35 or else another yarn 45 is introduced into this radiation area 50, each on a holder 30 and 30 ^' is located. The two holders 30 and 30 ^' form the holding area 40, which is located outside the radiation area 50. On the opposite side of the radiation region 50 is a contact region 60. Here, the first yarn 35 and the further yarn 45 are brought together after being heated by the radiator 20. The contact region 60 is in this case on the surface of the tube 20, which is why the tube 120 is also referred to as the inner profile 120, which gives the resulting composite precursor 130 its profile. As already mentioned, the tube 120 may also have an oval or angular surface. The tube 120 or the composite precursor 130 or both move away from the device 10 in the pulling direction 150. The drawbar is not shown here. By this train, the yarns 35 and 45 are automatically unwound from the brackets 30, 30 ^' and fed to the radiation area 50. Furthermore, the brackets 30, 30 ^{'are arranged in a} circle around the axis of the tubular elongate shaped body 120.

The contact region 60 can also be part of the radiation region 50, as shown here, but it does not have to. To overheat the radiators 20 and the radiation Area 50 and the reflectors 80 and 90 to avoid, fans 100 are arranged at several points of the device 10. These fans 100 are used primarily for cooling the reflectors 80 and 90 and suck cool air from the environment to move in the direction of movement 110 in and through the device 10.

The spiral temperature of the annular radiator 20 is in the application in a range of 1200 to 1500 ° C. The power in the individual radiators 20 is in a range of 5 to 20 W / cm with respect to the radiator length.

FIG. 2 shows a section from FIG. 1 which shows only a part of the radiation area 50 and the contact area 60 in which the yarns 35 and 45 meet. In order to be able to effect a good regulation of the radiation so that the yarns 35 and 45 are not heated too much, a pyrometer 140 is used in this case. This can be installed at various locations in the device 10. Advantageously, it is arranged in a region of the device 10 where the yarn 35 or 45 passes from the radiation region 50 into the contact region 60. The data received by the pyrometer 140 may be either wirelessly transmitted to a controller, or as shown here via a data cable 160. The controller may use this data to regulate the power of the emitters 20.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the process of heating a yarn 35 or 45 provided on a holder 30. The yarn 35 is bonded to the contact area 60 so as to be irradiated thereon by a radiation source 20. The yarn 35 has, after being heated by the radiation source 20, a temperature T ₂ which is higher than the temperature of the yarn 35 on the holder 30. The arrow 200 indicates the direction of illumination with which the electromagnetic radiation of the radiation source 20 is directed onto the yarn 35 becomes.

Example:

Starting from unidirectional tapes consisting of Hexcel APC2 carbon fibers (available from Hexcel Inc. Santa Clara CA USA) and a PEEK matrix (available from VicTrex pic. GB), where the fiber volume fraction in the consolidated tape is 45% and the basis weight is 300 g / m ² , multilayer pultruded profiles are produced. The unidirectional tapes are manufactured by Suprem SA (CH) according to a patented process from the aforementioned materials and after consolidation are cut into 6 mm wide strips and wound up. The unidirectional tapes thus obtained on the individual tape rolls have a length which corresponds to that of the original rovings of the hexel APC2 fiber, but at least 1000 m. Then, in a first station, 38 tape rolls are mounted on a braided wheeled support portion, of which 19 are intertwined clockwise and 19 counterclockwise to form a first plain weave hose in a contact area of the first station. Between the holding area and the contact area, the tablets are heated to a temperature of 350 ° C. by passing through infrared radiation sources.

This first tube will be wrapped in three additional 38-roll stations under the same conditions three times with a plain weave layer. After the fourth station, the four-ply precoat thus obtained is consolidated at a temperature of 375 ° C into a composite having a diameter of 60 mm and a circular cross-section. This composite has a nearly smooth surface and a high uniformity in fiber distribution.

Comparative Example:

The example is performed without the tapes undergoing an infrared radiation source according to the invention. As a result, a composite having a surface roughened by blistering and markedly deteriorated homogeneity was obtained at a reduced throughput rate of 60%.

Reference List Device 130 Composite Precursor Housing 140 Pyrometer Radiation source, ring 150 tensile direction

Spotlight 160 Data Cable Ring Twist Device, 30 'Holder 170

First yarn

yarn line

holding area

Another yarn

radiation range

contact area

'70' opening

Outer reflector

Inner reflector

0 fan

0 direction of movement of the air

0 pipe, inner profile, molded body

Claims

claims

A device (10) comprising: a support portion (40) including a first support (30, 30 ^' ) for a first yarn (35) and at least one further support (30, 30 ^' ) for at least one further yarn (45 ), at least one contact region (60) for contacting the first yarn (35) and the at least one further yarn (45), wherein at least one radiation source (20) is provided between the support region (40) and the contact region (60).

The apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one radiation source (20) is an infrared radiator.

The apparatus (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the at least one radiation source (20) has a power in a range of 1 to 100 W / cm.

4. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the at least one radiation source (20) is annular.

The apparatus (10) of claim 4, wherein a yarn line (38) extending through the first yarn (35) between the support portion (40) and the contact region (60) is within a ring formed by the annular radiation source (20) (25) lies.

The apparatus (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support portion (40) is movable relative to the contact portion (60).

7. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reflector (80, 90), between the support portion (40) and the contact region (60) is provided.

The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact region (60) comprises a yarn draw device (170) or a yarn draw device (170) follows the contact region or both.

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact region (60) has a shaped body (120).

10. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first yarn (35) or the further yarn (45) between the holding region (40) and contacting area (60) arranged to the at least one radiation source (20) in that the irradiated part of the first yarn (35) or of the further yarn (45) can be heated from a first temperature T to a second temperature T ₂ .

11. A method of making a composite (130), comprising the steps of: i. Providing a first yarn (35) and at least one other

Yarns (45) each with a temperature T ^ ii. Irradiating at least a portion of the first yarn (35) or the at least one further yarn (45) or both; iii. Contacting the first yarn (35) and the at least one wider yarn (45), wherein at least one of these yarns (35, 45) has a contact temperature T ₂ above T ₁ , wherein at least one of these yarns (35, 45) during the Contacting a tensile force acts.

The method of claim 11, wherein at least the first yarn (35) is carbon

or glass or both.

The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the irradiation is by infrared rays.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the irradiation is performed with a power in a range of 1 to 100 W / cm.

The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the contacting is in the presence of a polymer.

The method of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein after contacting, a composite precursor (130) is obtained, wherein the composite precursor (130) is brought to a temperature T ₃ above the temperature T ₂ .

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used.

18. A composite (130) obtainable by a method according to one of claims 11 to 17.

19. A product comprising a composite (130) according to claim 18 and a different component from the composite (130).