US long fibre thermoplastic specialist PlastiComp (Winona, Minnesota; www.plasticomp.com) has entered a partnership with Italian materials development company Xenia (Mussolente, Vicenza; www.xeniamaterials.com) to develop solutions for the European market based on PlastiComp’s “Complet” long carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites and Xenia’s “Xecarb” short carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites.

Injection mouldable “Complet” long fibre composite pellets are available with 15-50% carbon fibre in thermoplastic polymers from PP to PEEK. Composite formulations can be custom engineered to include wear reduction, electrical conductivity and flame retardant properties. Continuous fibre reinforced tapes are available in 0.5 to 7.5 cm widths in the same polymer range as pellet products.

PlastiComp recently developed a range of hybrid long glass and carbon fibre composites combining long glass and carbon fibre together in a single ready-to-mould pellet. Xenia engineers and manufactures reinforced thermoplastic composites for structural applications. The range combines reinforcing fibres, including carbon and aramid, with functional additives, such as PTFE, to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of thermoplastic polymers.