Processing Solution
The Xplore Coating Line is a laboratory-scale system for the rapid development and screening of coated wires, fibres, tows, filaments, and cords, while significantly reducing material consumption.
Fully integrated with Xplore Micro-Compounders, it lets researchers formulate new polymer compounds and directly evaluate their coating performance in a continuous process.
- One integrated workflow: material formulation and coating evaluation in a single continuous process, with no material transfer between steps.
- Minimal material use: screen new coating formulations while significantly reducing material consumption.
- A clear path to scale-up: characterize and performance-test coated samples before committing to industrial production.
Capabilities
- Continuous Fibre Tow / Wire Coating: Coat wires, fibres, tows, filaments, and cords at laboratory scale.
- Material Compatibility: Process polyolefins, TPU, Pebax, TPEs, rubbers, HFFR compounds, filled formulations, PEEK, PAEK, and PEI.
- Formulation Evaluation: Assess new formulations, additives, fillers, and functional compounds.
Key Features
- Precision Coating: Heated die with accurate temperature control and interchangeable size.
- Substrate Guiding: Modular guiding for wires, fibre tows, polymer filaments, and cords.
- Adjustable Processing: Tunable line speed and haul-off control.
- Controlled Winding: Torque-controlled take-up winding.
- Flexible Cooling: Air cooling with optional water cooling.
- Process Monitoring: Real-time process visualization and monitoring.
Research Areas
- Functional & Smart Coatings: Conductive, smart, and biomedical coatings.
- Composite & Fibre Development: UD tape precursors, LFT research, fibre sizing, and surface modification.
- Battery & Barrier Coatings: Separator, membrane, and barrier coating research.
- Sustainable Formulations: Sustainable and bio-based coatings.
- Interface & Process Studies: Adhesion, coating quality, process optimization, and scale-up.
Applications
- Wire & Cable Coatings: Power, automotive, aerospace, EV, battery, sensor, and high-temperature applications.
- Medical Coatings: Guidewires, catheter components, and medical devices.
- Fibre & Yarn Coatings: LFT composites, fibre optics, tyre cords, reinforcement fibres, and technical yarns.
- Functional Coatings: Conductive, antistatic, barrier, adhesive, and tie-layer coatings.
- Protective Coatings: Corrosion, chemical, abrasion, and environmental protection.
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