Industrial quality bio resins and coating products with the highest possible renewable content
Recognizing the challenges faced by industry in moving towards a more sustainable product future Dragonkraft Europe has launched a new bio-resin system for the composites, coatings and adhesives markets. The company is working alongside industry to ensure that the affected industries are supplied with environmentally sustainable solutions which are intelligently thought out to ensure that resin production can continue whilst minimising the impact on the environment and society. The formulation can be used for many applications and the curing speed can be adjusted to suit user requirements. The system is said to produce a high strength flexible cured resin with a shrinkage and high temperature resistance. It adheres to many surfaces including wood, non-brittle finish. It is also reported to have excellent wet out and self-leveling properties, with low plastics, metals and fibreglass, making it a good alternative to two-pack epoxy adhesives. When compared to traditional resins it shows equivalent resistance to a number of common chemicals. Advantages offered include: The epoxy resin system boasts 100% renewable carbon content whilst its hardener/booster package contains 20% renewable matter A 97% renewable UV cure system which sets within 15-30 minutes in natural daylight BPA (Bisphenol A) free 101R100 resin and 201H20 Hardener are very low odour and non-hazardous The material competes strongly against traditional resins as it is high-strength, flexible and non-brittle while also having excellent wet out and self-levelling properties, featuring both low shrinkage and high-temperature resistance. Its chemical resistance also stands up to traditional resins. In addition, the bio-resin is low-odour and is safer for workers to handle. The wide variety of applications to which it is suited is furthered by the fact that the curing speed can be adjusted to meet the needs of users. Like many other resins, it has good adhesion qualities and can be attached to wood, plastics, metals and fibreglass. It is hoped that this quality will distinguish it as an alternative to epoxy 2-pack adhesives. The Dragonkraft Epoxy system can be used for many applications and the curing speed adjusted to suit the application and user requirements. The formulation cure speed is controlled by use of the booster system which can be can be left out for higher temperature applications or used at up to 3% for an ambient cure. The system forms a high strength resin with a flexible, non-brittle finish. It shows excellent wet out properties, good self levelling properties, low shrinkage, high temperature resistance and has excellent adhesion qualities to many substrates including wood, fibreglass, a variety of metals and Polyester resin. It shows good resistance to a number of common chemicals.
Composites Evolution has introduced flax/PFA bioresin prepregs. PFA (Polyfurfuryl Alcohol) is a thermosetting bioresin derived from hemicellulose crop waste such as sugar cane bagasse and is similar in nature to a phenolic resin. Aside from its environmental credentials, PFA has fire retardant properties equivalent to phenolics, as well as excellent chemical resistance. These PFA high performance bioresin prepregs are based on aligned fabrics, which can be natural flax, glass or carbon, and are the result of over 4 years’ extensive research and development.
The materials offer a combination of light weight, high mechanical properties, excellent fire retardant properties and low environmental impact. The prepregs can be consolidated by vacuum, autoclave or press and are designed for a range of applications in mass transport, aerospace, furniture and construction. The glass/PFA prepreg systems have been shown to have excellent fire resistance and are able to compete with glass-phenolics. The flax/PFA prepregs are 100% bio-derived, as they are made using Biotex Flax fabrics to provide the levels of performance and processability normally associated with glass reinforced materials. This is the first time that PFA and Biotex have been combined in this way, giving the benefits of Biotex Flax material with a sustainable resin which does not have impact the food supply chain.
DSM has introduced Beyone™ 1, a new high performance resin system. This revolutionary resin inscribes itself in the continuous effort of DSM to deliver products that combine excellent mechanical strength and fatigue resistance, ease of processing, and reduced impact on the environment. The Beyone™ 1 resin is a BluCure™ Product, is styrene- as well as cobalt-free, and contains approximately 40 % of raw materials based on renewable resources. This resin is targeted at applications in Building, Infrastructure, Marine and Wind energy.
Composite components need to provide structural integrity, while being exposed to high dynamic loads and fatigue. DSM has a mission to deliver leading edge solutions to satisfy designers and OEMs needs for superior strength materials that will ensure continuous functioning of their products. The resin is unique in that perspective, combining the great processing characteristics typical for polyester and vinyl ester resins, and excellent strength and fatigue resistance associated with epoxy resins. The low resin viscosity enables easy impregnation and high processing speeds, saving cost and yielding high process output. Close to 40 % of the raw materials used for this resin are derived from renewable resources, diminishing considerably the ecological footprint and already clearing the way for continued supply in future when availability of fossil-based raw materials may be reduced. This new resin is 40 % bio-based and also demonstrates great performance, so we believe that we are redefining the standard for the industry both in performance and sustainability: truly a Green Revolution.”