Growing Market Over the last 20-30 years, composites have been challenging traditional materials, such as Steel and Aluminum, thanks to their tremendous strength-to-weight properties and impressive design flexibility. The composites market is moving forward, driven in part by healthy commercial aircraft orders and growing demand in Asia and Europe. This growing demand is stimulating developments in every area of composites processing, especially those areas best suited for high-volume transportation and infrastructure applications in which composites are challenging traditional materials. However, to achieve successful competitiveness, the manufacturing of high-quality advanced composite materials has to be done at the lowest possible cost. Epoxy resins are widely used in prepregs and commercialized for advanced composites applications (i.e.: Aircraft Structures, Racing Vehicles, Sporting Goods, etc.). These materials have two common characteristics: high cost and long processing time. Vinyl Ester Resins Vinyl ester resins, that offer a bridge between lower-cost, rapid-cure and easily processed polyesters and higher performance epoxy resins, have been traditionally widely used in corrosion resistance reinforced plastics. Thanks to the following inherent characteristics, vinyl ester resins have expanded and will continue to expand the market of the reinforced thermosetting plastics : They are tough because of their high tensile elongation relative to their Heat Deflection Temperature. They have high cohesive strength and wet out and bond well to glass fiber and many other fibrous reinforcements. They process easily with catalyst systems that have low toxicity and are easily dispersed. They provide cured polymers that resist to a range of chemicals. Beyond the corrosion market, many new applications have been developed for vinyl ester composite materials, such as structural components, automotive, marine and military applications. Why Prepregs? Prepregs materials, traditionally used in high performance composites, allows many advantages, compared with other wet lay-up methods, mainly : Fiber alignment and proper resin saturation (Waviness of fibers, or pools and voids of resin, create weak spots), which are the two most critical elements in a high performance composite structure. Prepreg material has the resin introduced into the individual fibers by computer controlled instruments capable of maintaining exact specifications. With other popular methods, it is very difficult to control the required specifications. It is impossible for wet lay-up parts to match the consistency of Prepregs. The ability to place different materials precisely in strategic parts of the mast takes advantage of each materials natural properties and creates quicker more durable masts. Molded parts have superior material properties relatively to weight ratios. More friendly to environment and manufacturing employees.

SIMPREX® prepregs combine the excellent thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy prepregs with the ease of processing and the fast curing property of unsaturated polyester Sheet Molding Coumpound (SMC), while adding inherent superior chemical resistance and significant cost savings to manufacturers as well as end-users.

SIMPREX® Series	Shelf Life	Curing Cycle	Tg Range (°C)	Futures	Typical Applications
070   071	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	105 -120 125 -140	High chemical resistance Superior toughness Excellent impact and fatigue resistance	A2 - A4 - A5 - A6 - A7 - A9
080   081	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	110 - 125 130 - 145	High resistance to aqueous solutions & organic solvents Superior toughness	A6 - A7 - A9 - A12
090   091	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	105 - 120 125 - 140	Fire retardant without additives Superior toughness Excellent fatigue resistance	A2 - A4 - A5 - A6 - A7 - A9 - A10
100   101	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	110 - 125 130 - 145	Fire retardant without additive Superior toughness Excellent fatigue resistance	A2 - A4 - A5 - A7 - A8
110   111	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	135 - 150 155 - 170	High chemical resistance High strength and toughness retention at elevated temperature	A2 - A3 - A9 - A11
120   121	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	135 -150 155 -170	Tough, impact resistant and strength retention at elevated temperature Excellent chemical resistance	A2 - A3 - A4 - A5 - A7 - A9 - A11
130   131	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	167 -175 172 -185	High strength and toughness retention at elevated temperature Superior chemical resistance	A1 - A3 - A9 - A11
140   141	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	165 - 180 170 - 187	High strength and toughness retention at elevated temperature Superior chemical resistance	A1 - A3 - A9 - A11
150   151	SL1 SL2	CC1 CC2	167 - 185 172 - 190	High strength and toughness retention at elevated temperature Excellent chemical resistance	A1 - A3 - A9 - A11
SL1: 6 - 12 months at room temperature CC1: 10-12 min. @ 257°F (125°C) CC2: 10-20 min. @ 185-257°F (85-125°C) SL2: 3 - 6 weeks at room temperature (1 year at cool temperature) A post-cure @ 257-329°F (125-165°C) is required for optimum performance A1: Primary Structures A4: Racing Vehicles A7: Marine A10: Infrastructure A2: Secondary Aircraft Structures A5: High Performance Sporting Goods A8: Military A11: Electric A3: Heat Affected Secondary Structures A6: General Purpose Composites A9: Chemical Resistance

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