Arkema (Colombes / France; www.arkema.com) has launched a range of glass-reinforced thermoplastic tapes and prepregs for the composites industry. The French speciality chemicals producer said the materials are ready-to-use by composite moulders for thermo-compression, thermo-stamping and lamination – enabling the manufacture of structural lightweight, recyclable and structural composites for use in automotive, transportation, energy, consumer and construction markets.

The new “Polystrand” tapes are continuous glass fibres impregnated with various polymers, such as PP, PA and fluoropolymers. Arkema said they provide high stiffness, strength and impact resistance compared with traditional compounds. They can be laminated or laid ply-per-ply in the load direction, to bring glass fibre properties where needed.

The “X-ply” prepregs are similar to impregnated fabrics but have a higher mechanical performance due to the absence of weave formation, the company said. These materials are already used in many applications in North America, for example in the automotive industry to reinforce front ends, it added.

The new products will be on display at the 2015 "JEC Composites Show" (www.jeccomposites.com), held in Paris / France on 10-12 March.