Individual functionalization of fiber-reinforced profiles via pultrusion

Abstract

Profile-based design is widely used because of its flexibility. A good possibility to increase the lightweight aspect can be the use of fiber reinforced profiles. These can be produced in a series suitable process - pultrusion. In this paper, the integration of functions in pultrusion profiles is focused. In one project, potential sensor concepts for robust condition monitoring of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) profiles were developed to expand the range of applications significantly. One application could be the substitution of complex aluminum profiles by fiber reinforced profiles with the advantage like high lightweight potential and low thermal expansion. Another objective was the integration of sensors and light-emitting diodes (LED) directly into the pultrusion profile. The objective of a second research project was the integration, wiring and test of sensors into a curved roller ski profile to detect loads during training. Several types of sensors were investigated to evaluate the parameters accuracy, positioning, and wiring at the best economic efficiency. The focus of the research and development of both projects was the integration of functions into pultruded profiles made of FRP. Successfully integrated functionalizing elements include sensors for strain, lighting elements, and touch sensors as well as temperature and humidity modules. The objective of the research project “SmartSensSki” was the integration, wiring and test of sensors into a curved roller ski profile to detect loads during training. Several types of sensors were investigated to evaluate the parameters accuracy, positioning, and wiring at the best economic efficiency. The focus of the research and development of both projects was the integration of functions into pultruded profiles made of FRP. Successfully integrated functionalizing elements include sensors for strain, lighting elements, and touch sensors as well as temperature and humidity modules.

Cost-efficient, automated, and sustainable composite profile manufacture: A review of the state of the art, innovations, and future of pultrusion technologies

“…the mechanical response of a ski-roller while reducing cost and weight [112]. The introduction of a steel sheet into flat and multi-cavity pultruded profiles highlights the benefits of this approach in terms of crash-energy absorption of hybrid metal-composite profiles [113] (an example of such a hybrid profile can be seen in Fig.…”

“…11(b)). This technology enables pultrusion to cover an even wider field of possible applications and has been successfully applied to automotive structures such as bumpers [97,121], sports equipment [112], aerospace components [122], marine [123] and infrastructure applications [124]. An alternative post-forming approach called stretch-bending has been developed for thermoplastic pultrudates which allows for wrinkle-free bending of tubes by selectively pre-tensioning the sections close to the centre of the profile [125] (Fig.…”