In the manufacture of our fiber-reinforced plastics, we rely on selected resins, hardeners, and reinforcing fibers such as glass, carbon, and basalt fibers. Depending on the requirements, different processes are used, including pultrusion, filament winding, injection, and sheet pressing. The following overview explains the raw materials used and the respective manufacturing processes.
Plüss AG uses the following materials for the production of fiber-reinforced plastics (thermosets):
Thermosets are plastics made from resin and hardener that can no longer be molded after curing. Without reinforcement, they are generally brittle. They obtain their high mechanical properties through the addition of reinforcing fibers (e.g., carbon or glass fibers) in their liquid state.
Thermoplastics are plastics made from various chemical raw materials. They are solid at room temperature but can be deformed multiple times by heating.
Plüss AG uses epoxy resins and hardening agents in accordance with the requirements of the end products. The resin system is supplemented with the necessary reinforcing fibers. This mixture cross-links at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and cures to form a non-deformable component (thermoset).
Plüss AG uses epoxy resins and hardening agents in accordance with the requirements of the end products. The resin system is supplemented with the necessary reinforcing fibers. This mixture cross-links at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and cures to form a non-deformable component (thermoset).
Pultrusion is an automated process in which continuous strands of glass, carbon, or basalt fiber (rovings) are pulled through a bath saturated with epoxy resin. They are then cured in a heated mold (nozzle) and shaped into the desired profile (e.g., rod, angle, U-profile).
Application:
Manufacture of rods and tubes (diameter up to max. 30 mm).
Components:
Pultrusion is an automated process in which continuous strands of glass, carbon, or basalt fiber (rovings) are pulled through a bath saturated with epoxy resin. They are then cured in a heated mold (nozzle) and shaped into the desired profile (e.g., rod, angle, U-profile).
Application:
Manufacture of rods and tubes (diameter up to max. 30 mm).
Components:
In filament winding, continuous fibers (rovings) and, if necessary, glass fiber mats are impregnated with epoxy resin and wound at precise angles onto a rotating core (mandrel). The component is then cured (chemically and additionally thermally), and the core is removed.
Typical applications:
In filament winding, continuous fibers (rovings) and, if necessary, glass fiber mats are impregnated with epoxy resin and wound at precise angles onto a rotating core (mandrel). The component is then cured (chemically and additionally thermally), and the core is removed.
Typical applications:
Fiber-reinforced panels consist of a resin matrix (epoxy resin) reinforced with fibers. The fibers increase strength, stiffness, and fracture toughness.
Dimensions:
Length up to 2100 mm, width up to 1200 mm, thickness 1–30 mm (up to 300 mm possible).
Basic principle:
Common fiber types:
Fiber-reinforced panels consist of a resin matrix (epoxy resin) reinforced with fibers. The fibers increase strength, stiffness, and fracture toughness.
Dimensions:
Length up to 2100 mm, width up to 1200 mm, thickness 1–30 mm (up to 300 mm possible).
Basic principle:
Common fiber types:
The resin injection process (also known as RTM – resin transfer molding) for manufacturing GRP/CFRP components. A closed mold (usually two-part) is lined with dry fiber fabric or mats. The mold is then closed. Resin is injected into the mold under pressure or vacuum until all fibers are completely saturated. The resin often cures in the mold at elevated temperatures. The finished component is then removed from the mold.
Advantages:
High fiber content, good surface quality, reproducible components, suitable for series production.
The resin injection process (also known as RTM – resin transfer molding) for manufacturing GRP/CFRP components. A closed mold (usually two-part) is lined with dry fiber fabric or mats. The mold is then closed. Resin is injected into the mold under pressure or vacuum until all fibers are completely saturated. The resin often cures in the mold at elevated temperatures. The finished component is then removed from the mold.
Advantages:
High fiber content, good surface quality, reproducible components, suitable for series production.
Our new fully automatic centerless grinding machine has been in operation since mid-2025. During centerless grinding of GRP and CFRP round rods and tubes, the workpieces are machined without centers between the grinding wheel and the regulating wheel. This process enables particularly high dimensional accuracy in terms of diameter and surface quality. Maximum machinable dimensions:
Our new fully automatic centerless grinding machine has been in operation since mid-2025. During centerless grinding of GRP and CFRP round rods and tubes, the workpieces are machined without centers between the grinding wheel and the regulating wheel. This process enables particularly high dimensional accuracy in terms of diameter and surface quality. Maximum machinable dimensions:
Water jet cutting is a cold cutting process in which materials are cut precisely using a high-pressure water jet with an abrasive added. This process is suitable for cutting fiber-reinforced plastics such as sheets and gratings. Maximum machinable dimensions:
Water jet cutting is a cold cutting process in which materials are cut precisely using a high-pressure water jet with an abrasive added. This process is suitable for cutting fiber-reinforced plastics such as sheets and gratings. Maximum machinable dimensions: