Which data is necessary to ensure the desired component quality with regard to mechanical performance?
The limitation for a good component is given after the component design and the layout by the manufacturing process: the resins must completely fill a cavity with or without semi-finished fiber products and the tool may only be opened again after sufficient cross-linking. Pressure and temperature sensors have been used for more than 15 years and their data are used to attempt to control the process and define quality criteria. Pressure sensors provide information about the filling of a cavity via the cavity pressure. Temperature sensors monitor the mold temperature to process the resins in the correct process window. However, sensor technology, which characterizes the actually critical material behavior, namely the cross-linking reaction, has only been used insufficiently so far. Therefore, some components from the automotive sector, which have not found the compromise between the required cost reduction and high component quality, have been in the prototype stage for many years. In order to solve the difficulties, a combination of sensors is required that allow an insight into all areas of a process. In my opinion there are three types of sensors inevitable to enlighten the invisible in-mold processing and to enable process automation in composite manufacturing:- pressure sensors
- temperature sensors
- dielectric sensors
Dielectric sensors – a game changer for composite process automation
Dielectric sensors have a high sensitivity and an advanced sensor technology. They meet the industrial requirements in a wide pressure and temperature range and clearly exceed the possibilities of some alternative methods. But the dielectric technique was struggling with electrically conductive fillers in the past. A newly developed sensor by NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing provides the possibility to characterize the material behavior of carbon composites and polymers with other electrically conductive fillers in the invisible and critical curing process in the tool. This brings robust processes, cost savings and higher productivity.
- continuous operating temperature of 300°C
- pressure resistance 300 bar
- extremely scratch resistant due to the ceramic based material
- thermoshock-resistant
- resistance to solvents

Get more information Others have already focused on the potential of this unique dielectric sensor. Read the article of Advanced Science News and visit our website for more.
Get your process to the best and apply for your official NETZSCH Research or Industrial Partnership at alexander.chaloupka@netzsch.com!
Alexander has more than 6 years of experience in various production processes and the characterization of polymer materials and composites. He worked at the Application Center for Materials and Environmental Research (AMU) at the University of Augsburg and the Department of Functional Lightweight Construction at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT before being recruited by NETZSCH Analyzing&Testing. At NETZSCH Analyzing&Testing he was one of the drivers behind the founding of the Business Field Process Analytics and became its Manager. Process Analytics focuses on real-time sensors and model-based algorithms for intelligent manufacturing of polymers and composites, automated and robust production to contribute to the factory of the future.
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