General online training course on composite materials applications (composites)

– We will review the most important thermosetting resins in the composite materials sector and their main properties. Applications of polyester, vinylester, urethane-acrylate and epoxy resins.

– We will analyze the reactivity of resins: Crosslinking monomer, catalysts, hardeners, accelerators and inhibitors.

– Low styrene resins: dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and vinylester-dicyclopentadiene resins.

– Polyester, vinylester and epoxy gelcoats: types and application standards. Most frequent defects that can appear in gelcoat applications and how to avoid them. We will analyze Gelcoats for parts manufacturing and for moulds.

– High mechanical performance and corrosion resistant resins: vinylester resins. Main properties and uses.

– Epoxy resins: Main properties, chemistry and types. Glass transition temperature (Tg). Polymerisation of epoxy resins: gel time, curing and curing.

– Urethane-acrylate resins (Crestapol): A new generation of high tenacity resins for applications with carbon fibre, aramid and high impact resistant polypropylene fibres. High flame retardant resins.

– Adhesives: urethane-acrylate (Crestomer), methacrylates (Crestabond) and epoxy (Resoltech). Review of threaded T-joints for bulkheads. Composite-composite, composite-metal, etc. joints. Adhesives for materials with different expansion coefficients.

– Reinforcement fibres: Glass, carbon, aramid (kevlar) and Innegra. Composite laminates and individual fibres mechanical properties.

– Materials for sandwich structures manufacture (PVC cores, balsa wood, PET, PU, SAN, CORE CORK, Sphere.tex, honeycomb…)

– Compressive and shear strength.

– Mould release agents: Semi-permanent systems

– Infusion/vacuum and RTM manufacturing processes will be analyzed with particular emphasis.

– Advantages and disadvantages of these processes and a comparison between them.