Umeco Process materials has formed a strategic marketing collaboration with Victrex Polymer Solutions in order to market release films.
These films are made using APTIV film based on VICTREX PEEK polymer. Umeco will distribute these release films under the brand name, VAC-PAK.
APTIV film is suitable for composite processing at high temperature, because of its excellent toughness and strength, inherent release properties, high temperature performance and purity. Currently, APTIV film is a highly performing PEEK film that is now available as a release film.
These release films are used in the production of composites, and are kept between a breather fabric and the laminate. They can be possibly used in applications such as aerospace, marine, military and industrial composite processing. The finished laminate is removed easily from the fabric, as these release films function as a slip-sheet.
Adam Black, Umeco Process materials’ Global Business Development Manager stated that a variety of fluoropolymers and Tedlar PVF film are included in the traditional release materials. He said that APTIV film is stronger than the normal materials at high temperatures and allows quicker processing and enables manufacture of complex parts.
Black stated that these release films are available in widths of 0.018 cm and 0.025 cm, and has up to 315°C of high use temperature that is compatible with aerospace composite requirements. He added that the tensile strength of these films is 125 Mpa and the elongation can be more than 120%. The APTIV release film absorbs low moisture and is resistant to chemicals and does not degrade, when the films are exposed to the severe conditions of the composite manufacturing method.
Source: http://www.advanced-composites.co.uk/