Surfacing Veils to Improve Finish & Function
SURFACETEC™
Surfacing Veils
Enhancing Finish as well as Function
SURFACETEC™ by James Cropper is a range of lightweight surfacing veils, which deliver a high quality, resin rich surface finish to a composite. They are easy to handle and incorporate, reducing the need for further processing of the finished part.
SURFACETEC™ nonwovens are also multi-functional, imparting functionality as well as superior finish to the composite surface, including corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance and electrostatic dissipation.
The veils are specifically designed for use in composites and can be customised to meet specific customer or market needs, ensuring an optimum performance benefit as well as process and resin compatibility.
Fibre Type
Carbon, Glass, Aramid, Polyester or blends of these
Properties
High quality resin rich surface, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance and electrostatic dissipation
Areal Weights
4 - 200 g/m²
Results
Achieving a uniform finish with a surfacing veil
Using SURFACETEC™
SURFACETEC™ veils are incorporated at the surface of the composite, on top of the structural component. The veils are highly porous and, due to their exceptionally even fibre distribution and consistent basis weight, ensure a very uniform resin uptake. They minimise print through from the underlying reinforcement (for example, woven patterning), producing an improved aesthetic appearance with microcrack suppression and minimum microporosity. This resin rich surface can then be primed and painted if required.
SURFACETEC™ is compatible with all common resin systems and fabrication techniques, including vacuum infusion, hand lay-up, filament winding, RTM, RIM, compression moulding, and can be used in dynamic techniques such as pultrusion, where gel coats are not suitable to achieve a high quality finish.
Composite surface - without surfacing veil
Composite surface - with surfacing veil
LIGHTWEIGHT
- Minimum weight addition
- From 2 g/m²
Surface Quality
- Smooth surface with minimal pinholes and other imperfections
- Reduces the need for subsequent surface filling, fairing and sanding operations
- High quality resin rich finish
- Minimises print through and patterning
- Even resin wet out with no dry spots
Processing Ease
- Easy to handle
- No additional process steps
- Reduces need for further processing
Multifunctional
- Function as well as Finish
- Corrosion resistance and abrasion & wear resistance
- Antistatic
Typical Applications
Aerostructures
Our surfacing veils provide a high quality, resin rich surface finish to both interior and exterior aerocomposites and AAM components with a minimum weight addition. Incorporated as a surfacing layer in a composite part, or as part of a surfacing film, the veils minimise the problem of print through, pin holes and voids and reduce the amount of further processing required. In addition our sustainable and recycled nonwovens also deliver a high quality surface finish for interior parts with the added benefit of environmental sustainability.
Bodywork
Our lightweight veils provide a high quality, resin rich Class A surface finish to a composite, they minimise print through and reduce the amount of further processing required.
Bicycles, Skis, Rackets, hockey sticks and more...
Our nonwovens deliver a high quality surface finish to sporting goods. The uniform fibre distribution minimises the problem of print through, pin holes and voids, it ensures a uniform resin uptake, whilst simultaneously imparting surface functionality such as wear resistance if required.
Blades and Nacelles
Our nonwovens provide a high quality, resin rich surface finish to wind turbine blades and nacelles. They are lightweight to ensure minimal weight addition, and are used extensively as surfacing veils, where they minimise print through and reduce the amount of further processing required.
Pipes and Roll Covers
Our glass and aramid nonwovens are used in the manufacture of composite roll covers for high speed industrial rolls used in printing, textiles and papermaking to improve wear resistance. As well as improving the surface finish, the aramid can also be blended with conductive fibres to provide protection from surface static discharge.
Composite body panels
Our surfacing veils provide an ideal solution for improving the surface on composite boat panels for painting. The incorporation of the veil into the composite simultaneously eliminates print through from the underlying structural fabric and reduces both pin-holing & defects on the surface of the part. The resultant finish allows the panel to be painted to a high specification without the need for excessive finishing after removal from the mould.
Prosthetics
Our nonwovens are incorporated into composite structures to provide a resin rich surface finish. An example is its use in Pro-Comp, a composite laminate that can be formed into complex shapes which exhibit good strength. One application for this is in the creation of prothestics.
Markets
We offer an extensive range of technical nonwovens, already qualified in aero composites and AS9100 certified, that can improve the appearance, function and ease of fabrication of AAM composites and solve a range of technical challenges faced in eVTOL aircraft and drone design. All our materials are designed specifically for use in composites, ensuring compatibility with all common resins and manufacturing techniques as well as ease of integration & use.
James Cropper Advanced Materials customers are among the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world, including many Fortune 100 and 500 companies. Our portfolio of products are in use on most commercial aircraft, delivering surface finish solutions, improved processing, light weighting efficiency solutions, and more.
A multitude of solutions for automotive composites, ranging from Class A surface finish to friction material substrates and composite EV battery enclosures.
James Cropper has supplied materials into the Defence sector for over 25 years. Our success lies in our ability to develop materials which meet specifications that other providers can't fulfil. This means that we work closely with our customers to design a product to suit specific application requirements.
Our advanced nonwovens enhance marine applications with high-quality surface finish on composite components and reliable fire protection for vessels.
Our advanced materials are found in a number of medical applications, from wearables and adhesives to scanning machinery.
Our materials are highly versatile, serving a wide array of sporting goods including bicycles, hockey sticks, tennis racquets, skis, and archery equipment.
Our nonwovens deliver specific functionality to leading renewable energy companies composite wind turbines, including surface finish and fire protection inside nacelles.