FAQ: discover more about Composite Repair

Qu'est-ce qu'un composite ?

In general, composite materials are formed by combining two or more materials with different physical and chemical properties, working together to give the composite unique properties.

A composite is made of a matrix such as epoxy resin reinforced with fibres such as carbon or glass. Composites can have properties similar to metals with a fraction of the weight only, so they are used in various industries to reduce weight and thus energy consumption. A composite can also be called a Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP).

How does a composite work?

The matrix (made of resin reinforced with fibres) holds the structure together. When there is a damage or delamination, the resin is impacted so the fibres can move around, dropping the mechanical properties. To gain initial properties, the matrix must be repaired.

Que sont les produits CompPair ?

CompPair products are preimpregnated textiles (prepregs), the precursors, used to build composite products. Our technology is available with various fibre types, architectures, and areal weights. The first product family, HealTechTM, is available in UD and Twill with various weights. To enable the added value of CompPair products, it is important to use these at the manufacturing stage, to build the structure entirely with these innovative prepregs.

Pourquoi utiliser les composites CompPair ?

CompPair invented a new material able to repair itself and be better recycled. Our technology acts during the whole lifetime of products: waste reduction during production and repair, lifetime extension and increased reliability through easy repair and recycling at the end of life. All of this while making repair faster and easier as well as keeping standard performances of benchmark composites.

What is CompPair's technology?

CompPair’s technology is a new kind of matrix for composite materials that is able to repair itself. CompPair’s composite repair technology can be used with various type of fibers and is currently available as a prepreg to build high quality composite products.

Where is the company based?

The CompPair team is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The HQ is at the EPFL Innovation Park and the offices in Renens, Switzerland.

CompPair regularly attends events and tradeshows, you can find the list of 2022 visits here.

Where can I find you?

CompPair regularly attends events and tradeshows, you can find the list of 2022 visits here.

What is the composite repair process with CompPair's technology?

HealTechTM, when used to build composite structures, enables the repair of damaged composite products in 1 minute, in place and without any additional material and processing step. All you need to do is to heat the damaged area of the part at moderate temperature, which can be done using a heat gun, a heat blanket, an oven. With CompPair, you don’t have to sand, laminate, and cure the parts, saving you valuable time while ensuring the quality of repair.

Un moule est-il nécessaire pendant la réparation ?
Non, les produits fabriqués avec CompPair sont capables de cicatriser tout en restant structurels. La réparation se fait en chauffant la pièce endommagée et peut être effectuée directement sur place sans qu'il soit nécessaire de recourir à un moule ou d'ajouter de la pression.
Vos composites sont-ils structurels pendant la réparation ?
Oui, ils le sont ! Toute structure peut être régénérée sur place en quelques minutes sans avoir besoin de moule ou de pression supplémentaire.
Quel est l'impact de la réparation sur les produits fabriqués avec CompPair ?

With CompPair, repaired parts following matrix damage events are like new. Contrary to current repair processes, which may compromise the integrity of the fibres (creating a weak spot) and change the weight and profile of the products (altering their performances), repair with CompPair maintains the integrity, profile, and weight of the original product.

Les composites CompPair peuvent-ils réparer les fibres ?

No, but damage of composites always starts with matrix damage, and the most important is to stop the propagation of such matrix damages and recover the load transfer between the composite layers. Preventive repair can significantly delay fibre damage.

Are your products a patch to repair damage?

No, CompPair’s products are the base material to produce entire composite parts. Manufacturers need to use our materials during production to enable parts to heal and last longer. Our products are a replacement of traditional prepreg materials to manufacture composite structures.

Est-ce vraiment réparé en une minute ?

Yes. On standard laminate thicknesses (1 to 3 mm on glass fibres) repair takes only a minute. For thicker structures, as soon as the heat transfer is efficient, the healing mechanism will take place as fast and thus the whole process lasts only a few minutes.

Watch a healing video demonstrating the composite repair.

How many times can a CompPair composite be repaired?

CompPair composites can be repaired up to 60 times on the same area, drastically extending the lifetime of the product.

Where can CompPair prepregs be used?

CompPair prepregs can be used in a wide range of applications, from sporting goods to aerospace applications. Everywhere composites are used, CompPair composites can be used! A list of use cases can be found here. The CompPair team is always open for new use cases, feel free to contact us.

S'agit-il d'un thermoplastique ?
Non, la technologie de CompPair est plus proche d'un thermodurcissable. Les performances mécaniques sont similaires à celles d’une époxy standard et le composite reste structurel pendant la cicatrisation.
Peut-il être utilisé avec n'importe quel renfort fibreux ?

Yes. CompPair’s technology can be used with any type of fibre, including natural fibres such as flax. Any requests can be made when ordering HealTechTM prepregs.

Quelle est la différence entre les composites thermodurcissables traditionnels et les composites CompPair ?

CompPair composites, made with HealTechTM, meet the performances of traditional thermoset composites, while having the followingadded values: (i) an improved crack resistance, (ii) repeated healing of small damage, (iii) compatibility with current manufacturing processes and (iv) improved recyclability.

 

 

Quelle est la différence entre les préimprégnés CompPair et les préimprégnés traditionnels ?

Nos préimprégnés ont été conçus pour être aussi proches que possible des préimprégnés standards, rien n'est plus clair que les commentaires du directeur technique et de la R&D d'un grand fabricant de composites :

 

"Les produits de CompPair Technologies SA ont une drapabilité, un tack et un processus de cuisson standard et sont faciles à manipuler".

Est-il compliqué de travailler avec le prepreg de CompPair ?

Non, nos préimprégnés ont été conçus pour répondre aux normes de mise en œuvre actuelles, le directeur technique et de R&D d'un grand fabricant de composites a validé le processus :

 

"Les produits de CompPair Technologies SA ont une drapabilité, un tack et un processus de cuisson standard et sont faciles à manipuler".

 

Veuillez nous contacter pour plus d'informations.

Quel est le cycle de cuisson de vos préimprégnés ?

Our first product family, HealTechTM, has to be cured at 140°C for 3h. An additional postcure at 180°C for 2h can be done.

Qu'elle est la Tg des préimprégnés CompPair ?

The Tg (glass transition temperature) of our composites is close to the cure temperature. It will therefore stand in between 140 and 180°C. However, there is a slight decrease of mechanical properties during healing. Please contact us for more information.

Quels sont vos produits ?

Our first product family, HealTechTM, currently has 7 carbon and glass textiles available, ranging from twill to UD architectures, with different areal weights of fibres. Send an email to contact@comppair.ch to receive the technical datasheets.

The next product families, currently under development, have different mechanical properties and cure conditions, adapted to a range of applications.

Quelles sont les conditions de stockage pour les produits CompPair ?

CompPair products need to be stored at -18°C like conventional prepregs. Storage in this condition is stable and lasts at least 18 months. At room temperature, our prepregs have a work life of 60 days.

Les préimprégnés CompPair sont-ils compatibles avec tout type de fabrication de composites par la voie des préimprégnés ?

Yes, they are! We have previously manufactured composites by autoclave, out-of-autoclave and under press.

How can I see visible damage on carbon composites?

Conventionally on composite structures, we use non-destructive techniques, like ultrasounds to analyse the damage. We can help you find the best non-destructive techniques for your application, feel free to contact us.

Vos préimprégnés peuvent-ils être utilisés pour des structures sandwich ?

Oui. Nous avons prouvé que les panneaux sandwichs en mousse peuvent être réparés en moins de 10 minutes avec CompPair. Veuillez nous contacter pour plus d'informations.

To what extent do CompPair composites reduce CO2 emissions?

Our internal life cycle assessment demonstrates that using and repairing a CompPair composite once reduces CO2 emissions eq. by 99.6% compared to a scenario where the part is discarded and remade (internal use case with model part, contact us for more details).

Can your prepregs be recycled?

Composite parts made with HealTechTM prepregs have demonstrated a good propensity to be recycled. We are now looking towards building strong collaborations with recycling partners and channels, as this is not our core focus. Please contact us for more information.

What is your approach to resources reduction?

CompPair’s vision is to follow the 3R framework: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Through eco-designs, lower volumes of HealTechTM prepregs can be used to produce standard part applications, thus reducing resources needs. Of course, the reuse aspect is largely applied by the regeneration of CompPair composites, with a healing capacity of up to 60 times. Finally, we aim to recycle composites at their end of life and reinputting the carbon fibres into the composites industry.

Is your production sustainable?

CompPair’s value chain has been thought out to fit in with our sustainable vision.

  1. Production: We aim for a local-for-local strategy. We are currently producing in Switzerland and Europe, for delivery in Europe.
  2. Transport: Our composites have a high shelf life; they can last for 60 days out of a freezer – meaning they can be transported in a standard way.
  3. Lifetime: multiple healing cycles are possible, making the lifetime the most positive impact of our value chain.
  4. End-of-life: We are working towards building strong collaborations with recycling partners and channels.
Which SDGs are you committed towards?

Currently, CompPair’s technology is contributing towards the following Sustainable Development Goals:

7: Affordable and Clean Energy

9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

12: Responsible Consumption and Production

13: Climate Action

 

As a company, we are also committed towards the other Sustainable Development Goals, for example the promotion of gender equality on the workplace (SDG 5) and other social aspects.

Want to work with us?

We can provide some support and collaboration at various levels:

  • CompPair products supply
  • Customisation to other reinforcements on request
  • Support in repair mechanisms
  • Eco-design
  • Collaboration through public funding or mandates