The AMRC announces U.K. open-access TPC tape development

The AMRC evaluates thermoplastic tape processing capability at Cygnet Texkimp. Source (All Images) | Cygnet Texkimp

The  University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre  (AMRC, Sheffield, U.K.) has announced what is said to be the U.K.’s first open-access hybrid fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tape development capability to accelerate innovation in sustainable composites technologies.

The dedicated research platform will feature a dual-mode thermoplastic processing line, designed and built by fiber handling and converting technology specialist  Cygnet Texkimp  (Northwich, U.K.) to provide direct melt and slurry-based processing capability for a wide range of polymers and applications.

The dual-mode line enables industrial-grade polymers such as polypropylene, nylons and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to be processed from pellets using Cygnet’s direct melt impregnation technology or powdered polymers to be processed using water-based slurries. The line is modular in design and achieves rapid conversion between these two operating modes.

The line also incorporates Cygnet Texkimp’s Flatline creel and fiber spreading technologies to maximize the range of fibers that can be processed, and to facilitate the development of novel composite tapes for downstream processing into composite components for industry. Specifically, the Flatline creel and fiber spreading system enables the processing of carbon, glass, recycled and natural fibers. It can also be configured to produce composite tapes in a variety of widths from 45-180 millimeters and with a specific fiber and polymer weight per meter.

AMRC open-access thermoplastic development capability features Cygnet Texkimp hybrid line.

“This open-access capability will provide material and tape suppliers, as well as downstream composites manufacturers the opportunity to develop novel tapes for their end-users,” explains Dr. Gary Foster, senior technical fellow –thermoplastic composites at the AMRC. “Leveraging the AMRC’s expertise in advanced manufacturing and materials processing, this initiative will facilitate more in-depth research into sustainable composites and provide a better understanding of key processing parameters.”

Thermoplastic composites  offer several advantages, including recyclability, high performance, adaptability and efficiency.

The hybrid line will be installed at the AMRC’s Factory of the Future facility where businesses and researchers will be able to develop new processing methodologies for novel thermoplastic composite intermediate tapes on a small-industrial scale with support from the AMRC.

“The AMRC’s thermoplastics research capability will provide a world-class test bed for businesses to explore the opportunities offered by these novel composites and adds considerable capacity and expertise to the U.K.’s composites manufacturing capability,” adds Andy Whitham, director of process development at Cygnet Texkimp. “Our hybrid line provides extensive control of the processing parameters for thermoplastic materials development. It will allow organizations to fully develop new processes and products on a small-industrial scale and prove out their concepts before investing in machinery.”

The line and tape slitter will be installed toward the end of 2025 and will operate from early 2026. Industry and supply chain organizations interested in accessing the AMRC’s thermoplastic development capability can get in touch  here.