JEC World 2019 preview: Sicomin

Sicomin (Châteauneuf les Martigues, France) is launching MaxCore, a new sandwich core designed for infusion processes, at JEC World 2019. 

Fiber reinforcements are inserted in multiple orientations and are responsible for 100% of the mechanical properties of the core, Sicomin says. With its patented manufacturing process, Sicomin is able to place these reinforcement fibers at precise angles and positions within the core.

Due to the mechanical contribution of the fiber reinforcement, MaxCore doesn’t rely on denser and more expensive core material, so it said to be a cost-effective option compared to foam cores.  The core material is a carrier for the fiber reinforcement, so cores can be selected based on other required parameters, such as fire and smoke behavior, water resistance, thermoformable ability, low resin absorption or sustainable chemistry. Sicomin says that MaxCore is particularly suited for thicker cores, from 30 to 200 mm or more.

MaxCore’s patented fiber insertion method can be applied to kits in which fiber orientations are engineered within each panel to incorporate openings such as windows and doors, and to provide additional local reinforcement.

MaxCore is also said to be compatible with a variety of manufacturing processes and can be used with epoxy, polyester and vinylester resin systems. Its fiber insertion technique can be applied with a variety of materials, including aramid, carbon fiber, basalt, natural, thermoplastic and glass fibers.

Sicomin will showcase several MaxCore panels at its booth G43 in Hall 6 at JEC World 2019. Technology on display will include panels infused with Sicomin’s epoxy infusion SR 8100 and Infugreen 810 with 4-mm glass tows at 70% fiber content in weight; a 50-mm fire retardant panel infused with Sicomin’s intumescent SR 1125 epoxy, with inserted 4-mm glass tows providing a 63% fiber content in weight; and a flax fiber-reinforced panel produced with Infugreen 810 (38% carbon content from bio-based sources), 50-mm PET core, hybrid flax and E-glass skins and a bio-based epoxy gelcoat.