High performance materials manufacturer Victrex (Thornton Cleveleys / UK; www.victrex.com) has installed a high-temperature, vacuum-laminating press to assist customers in the development of laminate products in which PEEK-based “Aptiv” film is bonded to various substrates without the use of adhesives. The press can operate at temperatures of up to 400 °C, melting the film in a controlled manner to bond to substrates such as metals, non-woven fabrics, meshes and other polymer films. John Getz, the global commercial leader for Aptiv film at Victrex, says the press’s high-temperature capability is unique. “It can also operate under vacuum,” he says, “preventing any entrapment of air bubbles and voids in the laminate.”

The laminating press has a sophisticated control system that includes programmable cycles for controlling temperature, press force and vacuum, as well as accurate platen pressure control. This will allow a wide range of low to high pressure profiles to be produced in sizes of up to 500mm x 600mm. “The addition of lamination capacity will allow us to support the validation and development process,” Getz explains. “We can help develop and optimise the laminate structure and lamination process by combining Aptiv film with other materials.”