1. Reinforcing thermosetting resins

The processing of composite materials based on thermosetting resins is currently undergoing major modifications or adjustments to comply with new health and safety regulations: conditions of exposure of workers to styrene vapors and release of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere.

These changes involve developments in raw materials, equipment and the choice of transformation processes.

Moulding processes applied to small production runs - contact and simultaneous spraying - are particularly concerned, and we're seeing a shift towards mould-to-mould processes such as RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding).

These changes have been factored into the cost figures mentioned in this article.