Extec Corp. is a leading manufacturer of materials preparation supplies and equipment. We strive to be the premier choice to laboratories worldwide for accurate materials preparation.Utilizing the most advanced and thoroughly tested materials, Extec prides itself on offering the professional technician high quality, affordable, supplies and equipment needed for consistent, reliable precision testing.
To learn more about Extec, please visit www.extec.com.Carbon and glass fiber reinforced materials, usually known as composites and advanced composites, combine strength with lightness and are used in industries where this combination is essential.
Mechanical properties of composites materials need to be evaluated and because of this, accurate test specimens are cut from panels for different testing. Thus the requirement for a cutting machine with a travelling head evolved to cut larger composite sheets into strips. Since test results depend on having accurate specimens with various specific characteristics the quality of the cut specimens using the composite saw is extremely important. The choice of diamond cutting blade is equally important for optimum results.
One example of an important industry which uses composite materials is the Aerospace industry. Advanced composite materials are used in many parts of the airframe. Another typical example of this group of materials are aramids, which are also well known for their
Vin body armor and other applications.
Most composites have strong fibers in a matrix. The objective is usually to make a component which is strong and stiff, often with a low density. Commercial material commonly has glass or carbon fibers in matrices based on thermosetting polymers, such as epoxy or polyester resins. Sometimes, thermoplastic polymers may be preferred, since they are moldable after initial production.
The greatest advantage of composite materials is strength and stiffness combined with lightness. By choosing an appropriate combination of reinforcement and matrix material, manufacturers can produce properties that exactly fit the requirements for a particular structure for a particular purpose.
Composite materials have gained popularity (despite their generally high cost) in high-performance products that need to be lightweight, yet strong enough to take harsh loading conditions such as aerospace components (tails, wings, fuselage, propeller, turbine blades) as well as other applications where weight reduction and strength are desired such are interior components. The new Boeing Dreamliner structure including the wings and fuselage is composed of over 50 percent advanced composites. Composites have marine applications such as boat a hulls, propellers, sculls, masts and more. Sporting good applications include safety equipment, bicycle frames, fishing rods, golf club shafts, hockey sticks, baseball and softball bats, and many automotive racing applications.
The properties of newly developed composite materials need to be tested mechanically and prepared for microscopic and other analysis. In addition, quality control needs to be done on production materials. In many cases the testing is done in accredited outside laboratories.
Typical tests include Tensile, Compression, Flex, Shear, and Fracture tests etc. In order to obtain reproducible results the preparation of accurate test specimens is extremely important. The Extec Labcut 5000® Advanced Series is specifically designed piece of equipment used to manufacture these test specimens to required specifications.
With the Extec Labcut 5000® Series Advanced Precision Composite Plate Saws, such variables as maximum cutting length, thickness and more are considered when specifying the appropriate model. The saw has variable speed cutting and feed rates and when used in conjunction with a bronze matrix cutting wheel offers superb surface finish and accuracy. The sheet is clamped against the back fence and on either side of the cut to ensure no movement during the cutting process. With the standard plate saw we can cut variable widths down to 1/4 inch (6.35 m) with excellent parallelism to meet your specifications. You can take test specimens straight off the saw to your test equipment!
If parallelism and perpendicularity are not maintained the test direction can move away from the 0 degree direction leaving open tow ends down the length of the sample. For example with compression tests a 1 degree angular variation can have a marked effect on the results.
Micro-cracking can be caused by excessive vibration during the cutting process. This can be prevented by clamping the part securely, using a fine diamond matrix blade (preferably bronze matrix), and applying water based cooling. The liquid cooling will dampen vibration significantly and the bronze matrix in the wheel has a high brass content which provides self-lubrication.
Cutting marks act as stress concentrators during a test. The stresses running down the specimen as it is tested should be spread evenly across the sample allowing representative properties to be obtained. If a defect is present anywhere within the test area the stresses are forced around the defect (like a rock in a shallow stream, the water must flow around it but is bunched up against the rock).
In addition to micro-cracking and cutting marks, variations on overall surface finish have been shown to impact test results on some composites materials. It is important to achieve a good quality and uniform surface finish to achieve the highest repeatability in test results.
Heat generation causes degradation of the resin matrix, brittleness, and delamination. Obvious methods for reducing overheating are water cooling, allowing the heat energy generated to be dissipated, and controlled cutting feeds.
Magnification: 50x
Magnification: 200x
