At JEC World 2024 (March 5 to 7, 2024 at Paris-Nord Villepinte), Cetim will be showcasing its services and solutions covering the entire composites value chain, for the successful integration of these materials into industrial applications.
This year, the center is highlighting composite applications linked to hydrogen and recycling, through the exhibition of new demonstrators from Cetim R&D and the presentation of new equipment.
Cetim, a key player in the deployment of the Hydrogen industry
Among the products on display is a cryogenic thermomechanical analyzer (TMA), the only one of its kind in France, which can characterize the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of all types of materials from -269°C to +220°C. Thanks to this equipment, manufacturers can better understand the behavior of materials at cryogenic temperatures, and facilitate the development of parts in contact with liquid hydrogen, whose operating temperature can reach -253°C. This is particularly critical in the case of anisotropic materials, such as composites, or multi-material assemblies, as differences in CTE lead to internal stresses which impact on residual mechanical strength.
Also on show: HySPIDE TP, a new robotized system from Cetim for the manufacture of H2 tanks. With this equipment, tape placement (Laser Assisted Tape Placement/LATP) is becoming a viable solution for the production of hydrogen tanks in thermoplastic composites, with HySPIDE TP boasting enhanced performance that makes it possible to produce this type of part at costs compatible with industry.
Cetim is also exhibiting a high-pressure H2 storage tank in thermoplastic composite. This 63 L tank is designed for transport applications. It can store 2.6 kg of H2. Manufactured with HySPIDE TP, it was designed using Cetim's optimized design and calculation methods, which combine the specific features of the materials with the advantages of the process, notably limiting the need for additional layers in the domes, by reducing the extra thickness of the material, and reducing the overall weight of the tank.
Cetim's experts are also keen to share the progress of national and European collaborative projects in which the center is involved via its HyMEET programme (Hydrogen Materials and Equipments Engineering and Testing), such as the STOHYC (STOckage d'HYdrogène Cryogénique) project for AirBus's ZEROe program, or the advances made in the Thor (Thermoplastic Hydrogen tanks Optimised and Recyclable) project.
Focus on recyclability
How do you turn waste into a new material of interest? Through its Cedre program, Cetim is working on the creation of new value chains to secure industrial supply sources in a circular economy perspective.
Reducing the consumption of raw materials - at the heart of regulatory, economic and geopolitical issues - requires improved processes and a reduction in inputs and waste. Optimization software developed by Cetim makes it possible to manufacture a part virtually to order. Die-forging and additive manufacturing processes, as well as digital production optimization tools, are also available to manufacturers.
At JEC World, Cetim is also exhibiting a technical access hatch made from recycled composite materials, manufactured in a closed circuit using the new version of the Thermosaïc recycling process, and the result of the Terra Preta project, a collaboration between Cetim, Sogeclair, Airbus and Safran Seats.
The new version of Cetim's Thermosaïc recycling process recovers production waste from aircraft fuel tank access hatches made from carbon-PPS composites, and reuses it to manufacture technical access hatches with lower mechanical constraints.
Cetim's recycling process thus offers an economical alternative to virgin materials, with a significant reduction in carbon footprint, thanks to the reuse of +70% of waste in a closed circuit.
Cetim's Thermosaïc technology won an award at the 2018 JEC Awards. Its new version notably offers the possibility of thermo-mechanical recycling of composite materials including high-performance ones (carbon fibers, high-temperature polymers > 400°C).
Terra Preta demonstrators can also be seen at JEC's Espace Planet and on the Sogeclair stand.
Krueger Flap exhibition
Manufactured in thermoplastic composites using Cetim's Spide TP process, which won an award at the JEC Composites Innovations Awards 2023 in the "Aerospace/Process" category, the Krueger Flap is a part designed by Cetim, in partnership with Loiretech, AFPT GmbH, Etim and Sonaca SA, as part of the European R&D project Swing (European Clean Sky 2 program), "for more effective wings and more efficient aircraft".). The Spide TP process has enabled us to surpass existing solutions in terms of industrial performance, with the potential for higher production rates, greater process stability and improved product quality that can be recycled at the end of its life.
Over 40 years of R&D and expertise in composite materials
For over 40 years, Cetim has been helping manufacturers to deploy composites and improve the performance of their products. Its 120 dedicated experts cover the entire composites value chain, providing comprehensive support for all issues, whatever their level of maturity:
- Techno-economic feasibility study of innovative concepts
- Design-to-cost, part sizing, process simulation
- Development and industrialization of innovative manufacturing processes:
- High-speed thermoforming process, QSP, Jec Award 2015
- Laser tape placement process (LATP), SPIDE TP, Jec Award 2023
- HySPIDE TP process, Cetim's new robotized system for manufacturing H2 tanks
- Multi-material assembly: from technology selection to validation
- Customized test benches, multiphysics testing, simulation
- Characterization and qualification of structures and components
- Non-destructive testing, production monitoring (testing)
- Failure analysis, parts and paint surveys
- Innovative TP composite recycling technologies with the Thermosaïc process - Jec Award 2018
- Nearly 30 Cetim Academy training courses dedicated to composites, covering the entire value chain: materials, design, manufacturing/control, finishing/decoration, failure analysis, QHSE, recycling, etc.
Photo: Thermosaic plate and access hatch from Terra Preta © Cetim