A manufacturer of woven and nonwoven materials and products using fiberglass, aramids, carbon fiber and other high-performance fibers — has partnered with Greenville-based high-performance olefin-based fibers developer Innegra Technologies LLC to produce the latest generation of BGF's Aerialite? fabric for composite applications such as surfboards and other water and extreme sports applications.
Aerialite X's fiber composition ranges from 100-percent Innegra to various Innegra H hybrid compositions, which include a mix of olefin yarns with other fibers such as glass, carbon and other high-performance fibers. The hybrid composition is designed to provide added durability to the lightweight material and avoid the shattering that is typical with other lightweight composites, according to Innegra. The hybridization process takes place at the filament level and is carried out by Shelby, N.C.-based technical fibers manufacturer B&W Fiber Glass, which then supplies the hybrid product to BGF.
BGF points out that Innegra fibers are hydrophobic and hydrolytically stable, making them resistant to chemical breakdown below the water line; and offer properties such as impact resistance, damage tolerance and vibration reduction. In addition to the applications targeted by BGF, Innegra H is targeted to luggage, ballistics, protective apparel, automotive and other marine applications.
Innegra H has received a JEC Americas 2013 Innovation Award and will officially launch at the JEC Americas show next week in Boston (See " Composite Fluid Transfer LLC, Innegra Win JEC Americas 2013 Innovation Awards,"
