18
Jan 2023
0

Seminar program 2023 in Berlin

Seminar program 2023 in Berlin

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Seminar program 2023 in Berlin

Do you or your colleagues want to learn more about composites? Would you like to refresh your knowledge around the topic testing of fiber-reinforced plastics? You would like to exchange information with other users in the field of material testing? Then you should not miss the next professional seminars at Grasse Zur Composite Testing. The seminars are aimed both at beginners and experienced material engineers:

The seminars offer the time and opportunity to make contacts, introduce your everyday challenges and questions and to discuss them in the spirit of an exchange of experience. The discussions can be continued with the dinner together in a pleasant atmosphere.

For members of Composites United e.V. the price is EUR 990.00 instead of EUR 1,090.00. If more than two employees come from one company, we can grant you a small quantity discount. We also offer a discount for student and academic staff. Simply contact us. Afterwards, you can extend your stay with an interesting weekend in the capital city of Berlin.

Early bird discount
If you enter discount in the comment field when booking professional seminars by 15.02.2023, you will receive a discount of EUR 100 per participant. This discount applies to all bookings made by 15.02.2023. Please note that from 01.01.2023 new prices will apply for the specialist seminars and training courses.

Further information

25
Nov 2022
1

Differences between the thermoanalytical methods DSC and DMA

Differences between the thermoanalytical methods DSC and DMA

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Differences between the thermoanalytical methods DSC and DMA

For thermoanalytical investigations of reactive plastics such as epoxy resin systems, vinyl ester resin systems or other thermosets, the two methods DSC (Differential Scanning Calometry) and DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) are frequently used in industrial applications. These two methods differ fundamentally in their physical mode of action and in their complexity. The aim of a thermal analysis is always to obtain information about the curing state of the material under investigation. The most frequently determined parameters for thermosetting plastics are the current glass transition temperature Tg.akt, the maximum possible glass transition temperature Tg.max and the degree of cross-linking alpha. This information can be used to draw conclusions about the production quality or material reserves.

Would you like to get more information about thermal analysis on reactive plastics? Simply register for our technical seminar Proper Curing of Resin Hardener Systems Part I or Part II and learn everything you need to know about DSC, DMA, curing and process control. In addition, we carry out the relevant tests in our DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited test laboratory. Contact us or use our online test request, we will be happy to provide you with a non-binding offer.

DSC

In a DSC test, a few milligrams of the material to be examined are placed in a crucible. This is examined together with an unfilled reference crucible in a DSC analyser (e.g. Netzsch, TA Instruments, Mettler Toledo,…). A typical DSC curve for a glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) with an EP resin system is shown below:

The advantages of a DSC analysis are mainly due to the fact that only a few milligrams of the material are needed and these components are simply taken. Specially produced test specimens are not necessary. The tests are carried out according to DIN EN ISO 11357-2, DIN EN ISO 11357-3, DIN EN 6041, DIN EN 6064 and ASTM D3418. The parameters determined are the current glass transition temperature Tg.akt, the maximum glass transition temperature Tg.max and the degree of cure alpha. A DSC analysis is relatively inexpensive due to the simplicity of the procedure.

DMA

In DMA, separate test specimens are made for the analysis. These are clamped in different fixtures so that a bending, tensile or shear load can be applied while at the same time the temperature rises and the test frequency varies. The tests are carried out according to DIN EN ISO 6721-4, DIN EN ISO 6721-5 and ASTM D7028. The parameters determined are the current glass transition temperature Tg.akt, the maximum glass transition temperature Tg.max, the storage modulus E‘, the loss modulus E“ and the phase shift tan Delta. Below is a typical DMA curve for a glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) with an EP resin system:

In principle, the characteristic values determined with a DSC analysis cannot be compared with the characteristic values determined from a DMA analysis. Especially if very precise results are required or the frequency-dependent material behaviour is also of interest, a DMA analysis is the method of choice. Compared to a DSC analysis, the procedure is more complex and expensive due to the complexity and the analysis technology.

24
Feb 2022
0

Seminar program 2022 in Berlin

Seminar program 2022 in Berlin

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Seminar program 2022 in Berlin

Do you or your colleagues want to learn more about composites? Would you like to refresh your knowledge around the topic testing of fiber-reinforced plastics? You would like to exchange information with other users in the field of material testing? Then you should not miss the next professional seminars at Grasse Zur Composite Testing. The seminars are aimed both at beginners and experienced material engineers:

The seminars offer the time and opportunity to make contacts, introduce your everyday challenges and questions and to discuss them in the spirit of an exchange of experience. The discussions can be continued with the dinner together in a pleasant atmosphere.

For members of Composites United e.V. the price is EUR 990.00 instead of EUR 1,090.00. If more than two employees come from one company, we can grant you a small quantity discount. We also offer a discount for student and academic staff. Simply contact us. Afterwards, you can extend your stay with an interesting weekend in the capital city of Berlin.

Early bird discount
For all registrations received by 11 March 2022, the price is only EUR 890.00 instead of the regular EUR 1,090.00 or EUR 990.00 (for members of Composites United e.V. and student or scientific staff). Simply enter discount campaign 2022 in the comments field when registering.

Further information

09
Aug 2021
0

Seminar program 2021

Seminar program 2021

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Seminar program 2021 in Berlin

Do you or your colleagues want to learn more about composites? Would you like to refresh your knowledge around the topic testing of fiber-reinforced plastics? You would like to exchange information with other users in the field of material testing? Then you should not miss the next professional seminars at Grasse Zur Composite Testing. The seminars are aimed both at beginners and experienced material engineers:

The seminars offer the time and opportunity to make contacts, introduce your everyday challenges and questions and to discuss them in the spirit of an exchange of experience. The discussions can be continued with the dinner together in a pleasant atmosphere. If several employees come from one company, we can give you a small discount. We also offer a discount for student and academic staff. Just contact us. Afterwards, it is a good idea to extend your stay with an interesting weekend in the capital Berlin.

Further information

26
May 2021
0

JEC Composites Connect on 01+02 June 2021

JEC Composites Connect on 01+02 June 2021

Allgemein admin

Composite News

JEC Composites Connect on 01+02 June 2021

For the first time in its history, the world’s most successful trade fair for composites and fibre-plastic composites JEC Paris presents itself as an online event. Due to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, the successful format will take place as a digital trade fair. JEC Composites Connect will remain an online meeting place for the entire composites community. This first JEC Composites Connect will function like a conventional trade fair: With digital exhibition stands, a conference programme, networking areas and the JEC Group Innovation Programme.

Grasse Zur Composite Testing is taking part in this online event and presenting all the latest news on the testing of fibre-reinforced plastics. In addition, the proven US-Plus technology for non-contact process control will be the focus of the exhibition. Book a personal appointment today and get in touch with us. Participation in the digital trade fair is free of charge.

Registration

16
Mar 2021
4

Development of a LOX test rig for rocket fuel tanks made of CFRP

Development of a LOX test rig for rocket fuel tanks made of CFRP

Allgemein , admin

Composite News

LOX test rig for rocket fuel tanks made of CFRP

Together with MT Aerospace, Grasse Zur Composite Testing has developed a test rig for LOX („liquid oxygen“) testing. The main goal of the Phoebus project is to increase the payload performance of the launcher by more than two tonnes by reducing the mass of the upper stage through a new design and lighter materials. At the same time, Phoebus also aims to reduce production costs.

Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials, or carbon composites, allow new architectures and combinations of functions otherwise not possible using metallic materials. CFRP is lightweight and dark in appearance and will be used for the cryogenic propellant tanks as well as primary and secondary structures of Phoebus, hence the name ‘black’ upper stage. Furthermore, their manufacturing process allows for an integrated layout that results in fewer parts compared to a comparable metallic configuration, thereby reducing production and assembly costs.

With the help of the test rig developed by Grasse Zur Composite Testing, the CFRP tanks are cooled down to approx. -180 °C. The CFRP tanks are then subjected to an internal pressure via a fully remote-controlled system. Four independently switched impact pendulums realise the application of impacts on the upper and lower end cap of the tank („boss“). The tests, which were carried out at an open-air test site in Germany, show that lightweight, carbon fibre reinforced plastic is strong enough to replace metal used in upper-stage rocket structures. This is an important milestone in Europe for the development of a prototype of a highly-optimised ‘black’ upper stage, Phoebus, a joint initiative by MT Aerospace and ArianeGroup, funded by ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme.

Further information

10
Dec 2020
1

Christmas 2020

Christmas 2020

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Christmas 2020

A turbulent and changeable year is drawing to a close. This year will remain a special memory for many of us, whether due to personal hardships, worries about an uncertain future, or even the many hours spent in the home office. The whole team of Grasse Zur Composite Testing would like to thank its clients and partners for the successful and trustful cooperation. We wish you a successful final spurt for the last days of 2020 and all the best for the new year.

This year our company vacations will start from 23 December 2020. In the new year you will reach us again from 04 January 2021. And as always: For all questions concerning the testing of plastics and composites we are always at your disposal!

Demo Image

24
Jun 2020
0

Non-contact process control using the pulse-echo method for monitoring the curing of fibre-reinforced plastic components

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Non-contact process control using the pulse-echo method

Grasse Zur Composite Testing develops together with DLR e.V. a non-contact process control using the pulse-echo method as part of a ZIM research project funded by BMWi. Due to the increasing networking of control and plant systems, real-time information on the curing process is of increasing interest in the processing of fibre-reinforced plastics.

The GZ US-Plus® non-contact process control system has been successfully represented on the market for about twenty years. Compared to competing methods such as di-electric analysis (DEA), it has the advantage of being able to measure without direct contact to the manufactured component. The ultrasonic-based system uses a piezo sensor to emit sound waves that are received by a second sensor. A computer calculates the curing process from the running time. This method of process control is particularly important for the aerospace industry, since no holes have to be drilled into the moulds and thus the elaborately machined surfaces of the closed moulds are not damaged.

The limitations of the previous reference technology become apparent in the case of rotor blades of wind turbines. These components are manufactured in open-mold construction and are nowadays up to 80 m long. Under the often harsh production conditions, it is not possible to measure the curing in transmission by means of two sensors (transmitter and receiver). Practical experience shows that only a permanently installed sensor system, which does not hinder but supports the workflows in production, can be implemented in production.

For this reason, the development of OPtimus® was initiated, in which the curing control is realised by means of a coupled transmitter-receiver unit using the pulse-echo method. This technology eliminates the need for a second sensor, which is why the sensor system can remain permanently integrated in the mold. This enables both an enormous increase in efficiency during curing and a guarantee of networking within the scope of QA. Flow front detection is also the current development status, which is expected to be ready for the market in 2022.

03
Jun 2020
0

Webinar on test methods for determining the intralaminar shear properties of FRP

Webinar on test methods for determining the intralaminar shear properties of FRP

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Test methods for determining the intralaminar shear properties of FRP

In cooperation with Composites United the webinar “Test methods for determining the intralaminar shear properties of fibre-plastic composites” took place on 19 May 2020. Dr. Fabian Grasse went into detail about the characterisation of the shear properties of FRP.

Various test methods have been established for determining the intralaminar shear properties of FRP. These differ in the geometry of the test specimens and the type of load application, which means that different testing devices are used. This webinar will introduce the most widely used standards for the determination of shear characteristics (DIN EN ISO 14129, DIN EN ISO 20337, ASTM D5379 and ASTM D7078) and go into detail about the various advantages and disadvantages of the respective test methods.

Link to the webinar

06
Mar 2020
1

Strain gauge connection kit GZ DMS-2/3 for use with strain gauges

Strain gauge connection kit GZ DMS-2/3 for use with strain gauges

Allgemein admin

Composite News

Strain gauge connection kit GZ DMS-2/3 for use with strain gauges

The strain gauge connection kit GZ DMS-2/3 is used together with universal testing machines. It is used to connect the strain gauge of the specimen to the testing machine. For this purpose, a Wheatstone bridge is required to record the small ohmic resistance changes that occur locally in the strain gauge when the specimen is strained. In the universal testing machine these resistance changes are converted into strains.

The strain gauge connection kit GZ DMS-2/3 is characterised by a very user-friendly design. It consists of two or three long-life connection terminals for connecting the strain gauges in 2-wire or 3-wire technology, which guarantee reliable contacting of the strain gauge conductors. The cable to the testing machine is connected to the strain gauge connection box via an Amphenol socket. For the Wheatstone bridge, high-quality and selected supplementary resistors are used. The strain gauge connection box is attached to the frame of the universal testing machine via magnetic feet.

Further information

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