What are composite materials?
Learn exactly what carbon-fibre composite materials are and find out why they are so important to manufacturing
So what exactly is a composite? Put simply, it’s a material with two distinct components, typically carbon fibre and resin, which cancel out each other's weaknesses and produce a stronger material than either alone. Generally, it can be stated that fibres take the load while resin keeps the shape. The carbon fibre component comes in the form of a fabric, held in place by stitching, that can be then moulded to the required shape in preparation for resin injection or a pre-impregnated tow, laid up on a mould and put in an autoclave for curing.
This interaction between the two key components makes factors like orientation and layering more important than with other materials. A regular pattern in the fibres of a part, without “defects”, results in a stronger part. While carbon-fibre filament is just six microns thick, when correctly applied in the production of a Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) material, it becomes the core of a material ten times as strong as steel at half the weight.
Our solutions
Vision System 2D
The Vision System 2D is the market-leading standalone optical measuring solution specifically developed for local two-dimensional fibre-orientation measurement.
Vision System 3D
Find a revolutionary solution for the portable inspection and analysis of semi-finished carbon-fibre composite parts with the Vision System 3D.
APODIUS ContInspect
APODIUS ContInspect is a modular production integrated inspection system specifically designed for the textile production of carbon and glass fibre materials.
APODIUS AFP Inspection System
APODIUS AFP is a ply-by-ply online inspection system designated for fast process speed and complex geometry in limited space situations.
HxGN LIVE
HxGN LIVE is a digital solutions event series providing hands-on, face-to-face access to Hexagon’s latest sensor, software, and autonomous technologies.
About composite material inspection
High-definition camera-based measurement and analysis is the key to strength and consistency in composite material production.
Download the brochure
Download our full Composite Inspection Solutions brochure right now.