Axel Mold Wiz is a liquid external release agent that dries at room temperature forming a monomolecular film which adheres by absorption to the mold surface and has no affinity for the molded resin or rubber. This selective adhesion prevents the film from being easily abraded by the demolded part.

Numerous demoldings per application of release agent can be expected without any necessity for washing the parts. The release will not interfere with secondary finishing operations such as decorating, bonding, or painting
Uses: Polyester, Epoxy, Acrylic, Methyl methacrylate, Phenolic, Rubber. Winding, Hot press molding & Preforms for all molding surfaces.

Uses: Polyester, Epoxy, Acrylic, Methyl methacrylate, Phenolic, Rubber. Winding, Hot press molding & Preforms for all molding surfaces

Composition: Proprietary resin emulsion of polyolefins and organic fatty combination with wetting agents and surfactant in a water vehicle.

 

TYPICAL PROPERTIES:

SOLIDS: 10%

COLOR: Off white

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 0.990 @ 25ºC

VISCOSITY: < 50 cps @ 25°C

pH: 8.7 – 10.7

FLASH POINT: Non Flammable

SHELF LIFE: Minimum of one year

Application Instructions:

Clean mold with CleanWiz. Apply mold release with a clean cotton cloth wiping in two directions, using a circular motion. Allow to dry for five minutes. Spray a thin coat (fine mist to dry film) and allow to dry completely with no moisture residue. Accelerate drying time by blowing hot air or by using heat lamps. Repeat whenever mold has been cleaned with CleanWiz or as required to give mold release properties.

MoldWiz® WB-2700 is a water-based release that is ideally suited to the rigorous molding conditions of the filament winding process. The release product is a silicone free emulsion of fatty acids, polyolefins, and surfactants in a water vehicle.

The product contains no hazardous materials making it friendly to both the user and the environment. MoldWiz® WB-2700, is a 10% active release product that can be easily diluted if desired.

CASE STUDY:

THE PROBLEM: A manufacturer of large diameter epoxy piping used for chemical conveyance, has historically relied on a solvent-based mold release to release 35’ (10.6 meter) pipe sections from non-tapered steel mandrels. Although the solvent-based release provided reasonable release, constant reapplication of mold release resulted in mandrels with crusty deposits of release and resin that were difficult and time consuming to remove.

In addition, there were growing HMIS concerns regarding volatile solvent emissions, and storage of flammable material.

THE TRIAL

MoldWiz® WB-2700 was introduced in a wet winding process employing epoxy resin. The polished steel mandrels were initially prepared by applying release with a handpump spray bottle and then simply wiped with a cloth to evenly distribute the release over the mandrel surface. The first pipe section released cleanly, pulling easily from the test mandrel. Following the trial, all of the production mandrels were converted to MoldWiz® WB-2700. After the initial release preparation, MoldWiz® WB-2700 is used in dilute form (50% water/50% MoldWiz®WB2700), with one coat applied prior to each wrapping cycle.

THE SOLUTION

The customer credits MoldWiz® WB-2700 with providing good release and eliminating the buildup problems that had been common with the solvent-based mold release.

Workers are pleased with the elimination of a solvent-based release from their workplace and the company’s health and safety objectives have been met.

LINK COMPOSITES HAS A NEW WEBSITE

We are happy to announce that our new updated website is live now. You can have a look at it here https://www.elink.co.in For regular updates and product information you can also follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for your kind support.

DUSSHERA GREETINGS

Dusshera signifies the victory of good over evil. May all the evils in and around you vanish by virtue of the goodness in and around you. Happy Dusshera 2017!

FESTIVAL HOLIDAYS

The Link offices will remain closed 18^th Oct 17 & 21th Oct 17 for Diwali festival.

To connect with us write to us at response@elink.co.in

Tooling Systems From Scott Bader
Scott Bader has a new range of high performance matched tooling systems that are ideal for the following sectors

• Land transport
• Marine
• Building
• Industrial
• Applications that require a superior gelcoat surface finish

Crystic Gelcoat 15PA (B) and (S)

Crystic VE679PA Skincoat& lightweight Reinforcement Construct the mold with either Crystic RTR 4000PA or Crystic 474 PA & your choice of reinforcement

CrysticGelcoat 15PA (B) & (S) CrysticGelcoat 15PA, both brush and spray,
represent the highest quality in tooling gelcoat manufacture.
A superior vinylester resin technology offers a premium finish with exceptional resistance to chemical attack and extremely long life cycles and multiple pulls.

“Very easy to spray with, covers nicely and no sagging. The degassing is perfect and no pinholes were found even after sanding the surface of the gel coat. But where it really out performs the competition is in achieving excellent resistance to print-through when vacuum bagging a 2 x 2 twill carbon fabric of 200 gm-2 with epoxy resin.”
Typical Properties for Crystic 15PA S & B
When tested in accordance with the appropriate BS OR BS EN ISO Method

Viscosity at 250C		Thixotropic	Thixotropic
Volatile Content	%	40	30
Geltime at	Minutes	7	11
250C (using 2% Butanox M50)
Stability in dark at 200C	Months	3	3

Crystic Skincoat VE679PA

An easy to use Vinyl ester / DCPD skincoat which significantly reduces the occurrence of fibre print through.
Crystic VE679PA greatly enhances surface finish on mouldings.

Typical Liquid Properties

Appearance		Red / brown
Viscosity at 250C 4500 sec-1	Poise	2.3
Viscosity at 250C 37.35 sec-1	Poise	3.5
Specific Gravity @ 250C		1.065
Stability at 250C	Months	3
Geltime at 250C using 2% Butanox LPT	Minutes	18
Geltime at 250C using 2% Butanox M50	Minutes	23

• Suitable for continuous processes such as filament winding and pultrusion
• Good tensile properties for controlled processing
• Creates a chemical barrier and surface finish

RTR 4000PA Excel

Crystic RTR 4000PA Excel is a new, improved rapid tooling resin which incorporates better handling, lower viscosity, improved shrinkage control and ease of use.
For the manufacture of high quality, low profile mould making applications.

Liquid Properties

Viscosity at 250C (ICI Cone and Plate)	Poise	5
Specific Gravity at 250C	–	1.35
Volatile Content	%	29
Geltime at 250C (1% Butanox M-50)**	Minutes	40
Stability (at less than 200C in original container)	Months	3

Fully Cured resin

		*Post Cure	**Post Cure
Barcol Hardness (GYZJ 934 – 1)		23	25
Deflection Temperature Under Load † (1.80 MPa	°C	60	94
Water Absorbtion 24hrs at 230C	mg	10	15
Tensile Strength	MPa	60	52
Tensile Modulus	GPa	2.7	3.0
Elongation at Break	%	4.3	2.1
Specific Gravity at 250C	–	1.161	1.158

• *Curing Schedule – 24hrs at 200C, 16hrs at 400C
• ** Curing Schedule – 24hrs at 200C, 3hrs at 800C
• † Curing Schedule – 24hrs at 200C, 5hrs at 800C, 3hrs at 1200C

Typical Mechanical properties

HDT**		63
Tensile Strength*	MPa	114
Tensile Modulus	GPa	8.1
Elongation at Break	%	2.0

*Glass Content 28%, laminate made with 3 layers of 450gsm CSM; 16hrs at 400C post cure
**Property of the cast resin, 16hrs at 400C post cure
Information courtesy: Scott Bader
Financial year-end and Gudi Padwa wishes
It’s the end of another financial year, and we hope it has been a good one for our customers, Suppliers and clients.

On the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, the beginning of the Hindu Calendar Year, We wish our patrons a Happy New Year!

Link Composites will remain closed on Gudi Padwa.

Have something to share in this newsletter?
Please email us at response@elink.co.in

Finishmat® is the Lantor range of surfacing veils for the composites industry. Finishmat® veils are used to improve surface cosmetics, create better chemical resistance or reduce the abrasion of composite structures.
Each Lantor Finishmat® offers good and even impregnation and is suitable for several production processes and applications.
Finishmat® D77 is a needle punched PAN fibre veil that is very drapeable. It is often used in closed mould processes where the soft Finishmat is applied directly against the mould or gelcoat to prevent osmosis and fibre print-through from glass fibre.

• Suitable for closed mould processes
• Excellent surface finish
• Effective protection from osmosis

Lantor Finishmat® D77

Excellent surface finish
Reduction of process cycle time
Gelcoat can be replaced by pigmented resin
Easy to process
Becomes translucent in resin
High elongation
Applications Lantor Finishmat® D77
Marine : Hulls, Decks, and Structures of Boats and Yachts
Transportation : Parts and Panels of cars, Trailers, Trucks and RV’s
General closed mould applications

Dimensional data :

Properties	D77 60	D77 80
Thickness* mm	0,30	0,40
Roll length m	100	100
Roll width m	Several widths	Several widths
Resin uptake* kg/m2	0,40	0,55
Dry weight g/m2	60	80
Binder	Needle punched	Needle punched
Elongation %	100	100
Fibre type	PAN	PAN

Lantor Finishmat® 6691

The Finishmat® 6691 range is a chemical bond polyester veil with tensile properties that make it suitable for filament winding and pultrusion processes. The consistent resin uptake creates a smooth, resin-rich layer that serves as chemical barrier and surface finish.

• Suitable for continuous processes such as filament winding and pultrusion
• Good tensile properties for controlled processing
• Creates a chemical barrier and surface finish

Lantor Finishmat® 6691
Chemical and weather resistance
Smooth surface
Controlled resin drainage
Prevention of fibre print through
High abrasive resistance
Easy to process due to high tensile strength
Good resin retention
Compatible with thermoset resins
Excellent resin wet-out

Applications Lantor Finishmat® 6691

Industrial : Pipes, Containers, Tanks, Profiles and Rods General Pultrusion and Filament Winding applications

Dimensional data

Fibre type	Polyester	Polyester
Properties	6691 SL	6691 LL
Thickness mm	0,30	0,45
Roll lenght m	1000	1000
Roll width m	1,0	1,0
Resin uptake kg/m2	0,35	0,50
Dry weight g/m2	20	40
Binder type	Acrylate	Acrylate
Elongation %	>10	>10

Automotive is a good reference and I always tend to look for references from the Automotive Industry. When my organization worked on the feasibility to manufacture 5 million helmets, we looked into various technologies, processes and raw materials being used in the automotive industry as a direct reference to achieve the desired variants, annual volume, quality, productivity and profitability.

I feel it is essential for the Indian Composites Industry to take inputs from automotive industry time to time and benchmark in the areas of quality, productivity, delivery, etc.

According to me manufacturing is one of the areas where “LEAN” definitely helps.

What is Lean?

Lean Manufacturing or Lean Production or simply “Lean” is a methodology of reducing / eliminating wastages in manufacturing. Lean covers every aspect of wastage in manufacturing from input (raw material, consumables, energy, labour); in process (machine down time, semi-finished / finished product due to non-conforming quality) to finished product (inventory, dead stock, non / slow-moving/rejected goods). Toyota Production System (TPS) is mother of “Lean”. TPS came to limelight and became matter of interest to not only automotive manufacturers but also to other manufacturing industry due to Toyota’s steady growth in deliveries and profits with consistent product quality. Achieving desired quality parameters in automotive industry is a tough task as it involves thousands of parts – both outsourced and manufactured.

Lean Manufacturing is a wide area. Some of the useful Lean Manufacturing Techniques which could be useful to Indian Composites Industry are listed for reference :

• 5S : helps one to organise work area – this could cover raw materials, consumables including managing various moulds developed over period of time
• Visual Factory / Control: includes safety instructions, warning signs, marking various areas e.g. stores, production, hold, inspection, rejected/ rework, finished goods.
• SOP (Standard Operating Procedures): Eliminates dependency on factory in-charge / owner by putting important work instructions in writing.
• JIT (Just in Time): by moulding right component in right quantity at right time helps in optimum utilisation of shop-floor as typically FRP components are custom made / nonstandard.
• Value Stream Mapping: helps in achieving the value through the workflow for which customer is willing to pay for & also achieve best plant layout – the desired flexibility in handling custom made components.
• Poka Yoke: avoiding mistakes at the source as GRP (especially thermoset) is not recyclable.
• Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) or Quick Changeover : optimizes mould changeover time and effectively utilises skilled labour.
• Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) : even in hand-lay- up driven activity optimum utilisation of resources is essential.

Are You Lean? Lean is a continuous process and needs to be top driven. It is effective when broken into small and simple tasks and understood at lowest level.

Be LEAN to be effective, relevant and profitable.

Contributed by Nitin P Soman

(Nitin P Soman is Mumbai based freelance consultant in Composites having 20+ years of industry experience and associated with Mr Shirish Joshi (Pune) & Mr Parag Pande (Aurangabad) for Lean Manufacturing practices)

Project Life Cycle For Lean Management

Objectives :

• Commercial : to improve Efficiency, Productivity, Profitability
• Management : Work clarity, Housekeeping, Accountability, Safety
• Customer Centric : Quality, Rejections, Deliveries
• Production Centric : Space, Inventory of RM & FG, Expansion, Process Consolidations

• 
•