VN Composites

Composite materials (or composites for short) are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure.

There are two categories of constituent materials: matrix and reinforcement. At least one portion of each type is required. The matrix material surrounds and supports the reinforcement materials by maintaining their relative positions. The reinforcements impart their special mechanical and physical properties to enhance the matrix properties.

The most common reinforcements are known as:

• Glass fibers
• Carbon fibers
• Aramid fibers (or Kevlar)

The most common matrix are known as:

• Polyester resins
• Vinyl ester resins
• Epoxy resins
• Phenolic resins
• Thermoplastic resins

The CDT® (Composite Damping Technology) is an original technology developed by VN Composites to damp all types of composite structures, generally very stiff, by inserting a viscoelastic elastomer such as SMACTANE®.
This solution allows conjugating the lightness and the resistance of composite structures with the necessity to reduce noise and vibration.

Advantages

The CDT® offers an important reduction of vibratory modes (in a report going from 1 to 8) and also an important acoustic reduction (typically > 10 dB) thanks to the viscoelastic material cutting.

Example Features

Aeronautic and Defence:
Aircraft interiors
Aeronautic and spatial damping structures
Acoustic domes & weather station

Racing cars:
Bodyworks
Radiator intake

Sport and leisure:
Shells
Boats
Bows
Skies and snowboards

Overview

The CMC® (Compression Moulding Compression) is a new composite material with significantly lower costs for small to medium production runs due to an innovative manufacturing process which reduces production time as compared to the layering of long fibers.

The CMC® is manufactured with a quasi isotropic HR carbon composite obtained through low pressure compression moulding. This material combines carbon fiber performances and high productivity process.

The reinforcements are made from HR carbon fiber. Epoxy or bismaldeide matrix.

Advantages
The CMC® allows the manufacturing of complex parts’ details (ribs, embossment…) which facilitate the design of reinforcements.
According to the thickness of parts, the isotropic fiber layering improves the transverse performance of the material.
Resistant up to 200°C depending on the matrix and the postcure.

Example Features

• Aeronautic & defence
• Industry
• Space
• Transport
• Racing cars
• Sport & leisure