our handicraft
Because composite materials only perform as well as their components, the superior performance of Bcomp products starts with the farmers growing the best quality flax fibres, which are then processed by our contracted yarn spinners and textile weavers in Europe. Always bearing in mind the required properties for our customers’ applications, our specialists select the right types of fibre which are processed into our special fabric architecture, be it for the Bcomp Cores or the Bcomp power ribs.
As the major contributor to the mechanical properties of the final composite part, the yarn is the elementary building block of our products. The fibres for each yarn are carefully selected, and the amount of twist introduced while the yarn is spun is specifically tailored for each of our products. In order to reach a constant high quality, we spend a considerable amount of time selecting the best fibres and the right suppliers, and continue scouting for novel fibres and innovative processes which can further increase the performance of our products.
Bcomp has selected textile manufacturing partners who combine several hundreds of years of know-how, cutting-edge machinery, and unique textile processes. Our fabrics have been developed in close collaboration over many months, yielding a constant high quality. This is a key step in our supply chain, which is all about getting together two – at a first sight – very different worlds: the textile industry with its long tradition and highly specialized know-how on one side, the relatively young composites industry with very particular needs for high product flexibility and application-specific solutions on the other side. At Bcomp, we are glad to have identified the right partners with an open mind and the right competencies, resulting in our unique product range.
Apart from the fibre reinforcement providing the composite material with the required strength and stiffness, the so-called matrix is the other key component in any fibre composite material. This polymeric material is responsible for keeping the reinforcements into place and transferring stresses into the fibres. The matrix can be optimized to improve the toughness, damping and UV-resistance of the final composite part. Today, Bcomp uses synthetic resins providing fast and easy processing and a good compatibility with our fibres. However, we are working on a bio-based resin in order to further improve the sustainability of our products. This is part of our mission.
Like in any composite material, guaranteeing a strong fabric-matrix interface is very important with natural fibre composites. This is particularly difficult with natural fibres as most of them are strongly hydrophilic, meaning they absorb moisture. Applying specific fibre treatments – or so-called sizing – can significantly increase the interface quality, thus improving the composite’s durability. Bcomp knows how the fibres want to be treated for a great compatibility with the resins we currently use, and is exploring novel methods to enable the use of other resins for the future.
Using standard composites manufacturing methods, which have been adapted to our needs and patented technologies over the last years, our high-tech fabrics are finally shaped into the final composite part. Once more, we have been looking hard to find the manufacturing partners with the same spirit as ours: a constant strive for innovation and willing to push natural fibre composites from a nice trend to a credible alternative to standard engineering materials.
Along with our patented technologies, our comprehensive know-how guarantees our customers a first mover advantage. We combine the properties of natural fibre composites, the technology and the knowledge to target best suited applications. This allows us to develop eco-friendly product ideas in close collaboration with our customers. Our experienced engineers take care of prototyping and scale-up before the production of your story telling products. This is only a part of the services we offer to our customers.
