Long Fiber Thermoplastics Composites
ENABLING LIGHT WEIGHTING
INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
SKYi LFT composites find use across a variety of industries. They offer design freedom without compromising on performance, hence can be used to integrate various components in one. The innovative future of mode of transports is based on digitally controlled electrical or electronic vehicles which need electrically and magnetically shielding materials. Unlike metals, SKYi LFT’s are EMI shielding materials and a preferred choice for electrical vehicles, digital control systems, etc. They have better corrosion and chemical resistance compared and add a lot of value to white good appliances.
Over all, LFT composites offer high potential of light weighting- which is extremely important for a greener future.
Automobiles & Aerospace
Light weighting and thermal management are an area of focus for automotive as well as aerospace industry. LFT composites help address material challenges faced in these areas. Apart from high performance to replace metal, it has potential to replace existing engineering plastics. Their high strength and impact resistance allows carmakers to design safer interiors. Special LFTs also have the ability to withstand high temperatures.
Exterior
SKYi LFTs are used in exterior components of passenger and commercial vehicles. Materials for these applications must withstand considerable mechanical loads and resist UV/weathering, caustic chemicals and detergents. Our LFTs provide UV stability and resistance to temperature fluctuation from -40C to 80C to achieve desired function.
Mirror Bracket
- High creep resistance
- Low NVH & good UV stability
- Excellent surface finish
SUV Footstep
- Excellent strength to weight ratio
- High impact resistance
- Water & chemical resistant
Slide Footstep
- Excellent strength to weight ratio
- High impact resistance
- Water & chemical resistant
Luggage Rack
- Excellent stiffness & load bearing capacity
- Creep resistant
- Cost effective
Sun-roof Rail
- Excellent surface finish
- UV stability
- Less warpage
Interiors
SKYi LFTs can be used for car interiors as well as automotive cockpit interiors. They have good surface finish combined with excellent strength and durability.
Knee Bolster
- Higher crash resistance
- High stiffness
- Good impact strength
Accelerator Pedal
- Stiffness throughout temperature range (-35C to 85C)
- Dimensional stability
- Weight reduction
Spare Wheel Trays & Cover
- Lightweight
- Excellent strength and durability
- Mass-production capability
Gear Shifter
- No sink marks & weld joints
- 15% lighter than existing plastic solution
- Higher un-notched & notched impact strength
Seat Frames
- Excellent creep resistance
- Higher un-notched & notched impact strength
- Lower warpage
Under the Hood
Under the hood components require relatively higher temperature withstanding, and for longer periods. Due to this inherent requirement, only few polymers such as PA66 are used conventionally, however with LFT, temperature range increases and enables use of other polymers such as PP, POK etc.
Inlet Manifold
- Vibration welded, ultrasonically welded and joined
- Relatively higher thermal stability
- Weight & cost reduction
Engine Cover
- Excellent surface finish
- Extremely low warpage
- Good noise reduction
Battery Tray
- Significant weight reduction as compared to metals
- Integration of components
- Anti-corrosive
Radiator Fan
- High stiffness
- Lower warpage for high efficiency
- Lower weight helps reduce energy
Fan Shroud
- High strength
- Replaces conventional plastics to reduce weight further
- Stability over different temperature range
Radiator End Tank
- Excellent ethylene-glycol resistance at higher temperature
- Reduced the weight of component by 40%.
- Huge cost reduction
Structural
The components are the weight bearing members and often need high flexural strength, moderate to high temperature stability and lower weight. They are a part of exteriors, under the hood (bonnet) or even car interiors. Hence application requirements vary from high UV-stability for exterior structural components to low VOC amongst interiors.
Front-end Carrier
- crash resistant & high energy absorption
- High temperature and creep resistance
- Significant weight saving
Bumper Beams
- Excellent crash resistant
- Hybrid concepts of LFT with UD tapes or metal inserts works very well
- Reduction in weight & increased fuel efficiency
Door Module
- Ease of processing & integration of parts
- Weight & cost reduction
- Dimensional stability
Instrument Panel
- Weight savings & reduced fuel consumption
- Drastic reduction in material consumption in production
- SKYi LFT panel reinforced with continuous fibres have high rigidity & toughness even at low wall thicknesses.
Engine
Components closer or used in engine parts need to withstand higher temperature and also have oxidation resistance. Owing to high temperature performance and higher creep resistance, LFT finds applications in some of the key engine components related to load bearing applications.
Engine Mount & Brackets
- Creep resistant
- High flexural strength
- Thermal stability
Engine Gears & Pulleys
- Less friction
- Creep resistant
- Dimensional stability
Timing Systems
- Low friction
- Torsional resistance
- Good flexural strength
Transmission Parts
- Noise reduction
- Weight reduction
- Creep resistance
Electrical & Electronics
LFTs with their high strength, resistance to temperature changes, long life and ease of manufacturing are replacing metals rapidly to reduce weight, load and electrical consumption of appliances.
Low Voltage
Mass production of LV applications, need materials which can be processed faster and integrate various functions. LFT provides an excellent alternative as it is similar in performance compared to conventional reinforced polyamide.
LV Switch Gear
- Design freedom
- Cost reduction
Knobs & Handles
- Higher modulus, higher creep resistance
- Moulding is easier & superior surface finish
- Less brittle
Water Boilers
- Thermal stability
- Less moisture absorption
- Design freedom
Medium Voltage
MV applications use plastics in enclosed applications like case and cover for MCCB or arc chute. These components need to withstand very high current and pressure. LFT solutions withstand high pressure due to glass fibre skeleton and have minimum carbonization to withstand short-circuits.
MCCB Case & Cover
- Less carbonization
- Heat & electrical resistance
- Burst resistance
Arc Chute Chamber
- Arc extinguishing
- Zero carbon deposition
- Burst resistance
High Voltage
Clamps and supports for HV lines are based on metals such as aluminium which are prone to oxidation and corrosion and go through various steps of manufacturing. LFT on the other hand provides a one-step solution.
Cable Bracket
- Creep resistance
- UV stability
- High tensile strength & stiffness
Cable Holder & Support
- UV & thermal stability
- High strength
Insulator Rods for Overheads
- No buckling
- Creep resistant
- High CTI
Lightning Arrester Bracket
- Creep resistance
- UV stability
- High tensile strength & stiffness
Consumer Appliances
Materials that provide an edge when it comes to performance, aesthetics and input cost for consumer appliances are the need of the hour. LFTs are emerging as this very solution.
SKYi’s LFT are lightweight, corrosion-free and moulded in colour. They deliver appearance and functionality by helping large appliance manufacturers reduce cost, number of parts, weight and noise.
Washing Machine
Rotating Drum
- High load bearing capacity
- Dimensional stability
- Noise reduction & light weigh
Drive Hub
- Anti-corrosive
- High load bearing
- Flat fins
Support Drum
- Good strength
- Dimensional stability
Pulley & Drive
- Torsional strength
- No slippage
- Dimensional stability
Refrigerators
Compressor mounting base
- High & low temperature stability
- Load bearing capacity
Vegetable tray
- Aesthetics
- Good impact resistant
Kitchenware
Applications
- Induction heater plate
- Water cooler bodies
- Mixer body mixer gears and rotor
- Chiller fans
Power Tools
Glass fibre is playing an important role in the performance of LFT materials through the control of the fibre-resin adhesion and the strength of the 3-D glass skeleton.It explains the outstanding physical properties of the end products at both low and high temperatures. Simple and easy to use, these LFT enclosures feature supreme finish, high durability, rugged construction and low maintenance.
Furniture
The demands of the infrastructure industry are diverse and multi-purpose, and a material like LFT which displays great flexibility in application is the ideal alternative to conventional materials such as metals and plastics.
Applications
- Conventional Chair
- Office chair base
- Office chair mesh
- Office table & Accessories
Agriculture & Water Management
In agriculture, succeeding means growing a healthy, marketable and profitable crop. For SKYi, it means something bigger: feeding the world sustainably. Our mission is to deliver agricultural and water management infrastructure to deliver higher crop yields and more nutritious foods.
Applications
- Hydro Cyclone Filters
- Impellers
- Fittings
- Driver Valves
- Motor Covers
Plumbing & Construction
Parts used for plumbing are subjected to high constant and dynamic loads exerted by water, and also have to withstand vastly varying temperatures in domestic applications. The properties of LFT ensure a long life for these parts.
Interiors & Tools
Interiors and tools used in plumbing and construction engineering need higher mechanical performance. LFT helps reduce the cost by replacing the existing high cost engineering plastics based solutions.
Applications
- Knobs & Handles
- Fastening Tools
- Faucets
Exterior Plumbing
Exterior plumbing applications are heavy duty applications with truck loads being ferried on them while being exposed to extreme weather. SKYi has developed specific solutions to overcome the weather-ability of plastics and increase their life significantly.
Manhole & Sewage Covers
- No brittle failure
- Good UV and weather resistance
- No Sand outcome unlike in case of FRP-SAND
- Economy of scale and mass production
- Design freedom/size/shape
Swimming Pool Gratings
Window frames
Window Latches
Overall Plumbing
Applications
- Plumbing Valve
- Joints and Nut-bolts
- Sewage Chambers
Hot and Cold Plumbing
Applications
- Divertor Valve
Health Care
Use of LFT composite materials is becoming more commonplace in today’s manufacturing environment as manufactures are looking at stronger and lighter weight alternatives to traditional metallic components.
X-ray display card
- Ultra-lightweight
- Small size
- Super flexibility
Sterilization tray
- Temperature stability
- Corrosion resistance
Nebuliser
- Chemical resistance
Structural Engineering
Structures and frames have been conventionally manufactured in metal owing to strength demands. The weight of the assembly however increases drastically due to this. LFT parts and members can reduce the weight of the structure significantly and allow for more compact dimensions.
Industrial
Applications
- Bobbins for textiles
- Spools for wire and cables
- Rolls for textile machines
- Drill machine covers
Consumer
Applications
- Broom handle
- Knife Handle
- Bike repair stand
Safety
Toe for safety shoes
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Excellent Thermal and Electrical insulation
- Security friendly for jobs with metal detector checkpoints
- Better pressure proof capability
Protective safety sheets
Sports
From helmets to hockey sticks, LFT composite materials help athletes reach their highest performance capabilities and provide durable, lightweight equipment’s.
Bike Helmets
- Light weight
- Impact resistance
- safety
Two Wheelers
LFTs have multifarious applications in the two-wheeler industry, where low weight and high strength over time are critical aspects. Our LFT uses advanced polymer technology to produce high performance engineering polymers designed to help motorcycle manufacturers ensure bike components meet safety, structural, appearance and E/E requirements.
Engine Components
LFT’s are specially formulated to be light, easy to process and can be modified to meet a wide range of needs.
Cylinder head covers
- Flat surface
- High torque resistance
- stiffness
Air in-take pipes
- High temp resistance
- Dry gas resistance
- Dimensional stability
Gear shifter forks
- No warpage
- Co-centric
- stiffness
Structural Parts
LFT parts and members can reduce not only the weight of the structure significantly, but also allow for more compact dimensions owing to greater strength and stability.
Grab handle
- Aesthetics
- Creep resistance
- Load bearing capacity
Rear fender
- High strength
- UV stability
- Impact resistance
Footsteps
- Creep resistance
- UV and weather resistance
- Impact strength
Front fairing
- Aesthetics
- UV stability
Safety & Precision
Further owing to extremely high performance to weigh ratio, LFT composites offer high dimensional stability which ensure safety and integrity
Gear shifter drums
- High durability
- Aesthetics
- Light weight
Dust cap for suspension
- Resistance to deflection
- Electrolysis corrosion resistant
- Dimensional stability
Oil pump gear
- Resistance to oil pressure
- Corrosion resistance
- Dimensional stability