TUFNOL Pultruded Composite Profiles

Tufnol pultruded profiles are made from glass fibre, aramid or carbon fibres, reinforced with tough, strong resins to provide a range of composite profiles with mechanical, physical and electrical properties suitable for many different applications.

Depending on the combination of reinforcement materials and resins used, Tufnol pultruded profiles offer:

Strength with light weight
Excellent electrical insulation properties
Corrosion resistance
Excellent weathering characteristics
Fire resistance
Long service life
Choice of colour

Available in a range of standard and custom profiles, Tufnol pultruded profiles are a cost effective alternative to conventional metal and plastic extrusions, particularly where specific properties are required.

THE PULTRUSION PROCESS

Pultruded Profiles are made by impregnating fibre materials with resin and pulling them slowly through a die. As the pass through the heated die, the resin hardens and cures to produce a string, rigid fibre reinforced material.

The Pultrusion process is highly controllable and reliable and enables accurate profiles to be produced with consistent strength and hardness properties.

To provide maximum strength, the amount of fibre pulled into the die is quite large, tightly packing the die. Considerable force is then needed to pull this through, i.e. to  'pultrude' the profile.

The heat in the die triggers a catalyst, which cures and solidifies the resin, bonding the fibres tightly together. As it exits the die, the profile is fully hardened, ready for cutting to length or machining.

Polyester resins are normally used for standard grades, whilst other resins, such as epoxy, vinyl ester, phenolic, are also used for particular purposes.

Different types of fibre reinforcement are used including woven fabrics and fibre mats, which ensure that the finished section is not necessarily reinforced in only one direction.

Resin and reinforcement materials can be designed and blended to create an extensive and versatile range of properties and material colours.

BENEFITS

TUFNOL Pultruded Profiles are ideal for a range of applications, where metal or other plastic sections are unsuitable or are less cost effective.

For example:

Structural applications
The combination of strength and low weight and corrosion resistance means:-
* lighter supporting structures
* easier handling
* lower transport costs
* easier maintenance
* longer service life
* good performance in hostile environments compared to cosdy corrosion resistant alloys

Thermal Insulation
Excellent thermal insulation properties mean:-
* heat loss and condensation rninirnised e.g. in refrigeration equipment/cold stores

Electrical lnsulation
* good insulation properties
* non-conductive materials
* high structural strength

Rigidity
* more rigid than thermoplastic materials Safety
* improved fire and smoke properties can be provided to meet safety specifications
* suitable for passenger transport systems specifying low smoke materials

Consistent accuracy
* reliable tolerances
* stable dimensions

Appearance
* suitable for window frames and other architectural applications without costly finishing processes
* wide Tange ofcolours available (

STANDARD PROFILES

We manufacture a range of standard shapes including rod, tube, bar and sheet sections, angles, channels, beams and troughs. In many cases, standard sections are supplied directly from stock. Other standard profiles are made to order from existing tooling.

CUSTOM PROFILES
 
Custom designed Pultruded Profiles can provide a versatile and cost effective solution in many applications. Shapes can be designed to suit specific uses, and different resins and reinforcements combined within the material to produce optimum performance.

The versatility and accuracy of the pultrusion process offers tremendous possibilities for complex shapes or special properties.
Customised profiles can be produced using special dies to form material direcdy into a finished shape, eliminating the need for extra finishing operations.

Whatever the application, TUFNOL will provide technical advice and guidance in the selection of the most suitable pultruded material. Please contact us.

APPLICATIONS

Use Tufnol profiles for:

Walkways, ladders, gratings handrails, structural beams, Tank supports, flooring supports, water treatment plant components, booms, sludge flights, chemical plant components cable troughs and trays, railway live rail covers, pruning poles, pipe supports, truck, bus and coach trim, window frames, aerial radomes, level crossing gates, car park barriers booms, prefabricated structures, bridge components, portable sign posts, net supports.
. . . and many more.

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A full machining service is available from Tufnol for these and many other engineering plastics and composites.

Tufnol Composites Ltd, Wellhead Lane, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2TB, United Kingdom.

BS EN ISO 9001:2000 Reg. No. FM 90942

The information given here is believed to be correct, but completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The user shall be fully responsible for determining the suitability of products for the intended use.