About ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center (TPRC)
The ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center (TPRC) is a leading consortium of industrial and academic members that are actively involved in the thermoplastic composites industry. The center was established in 2009, and since then, it has been at the forefront of research and development in this field. TPRC's mission is to advance the use of thermoplastic composites by developing new materials, processes, and applications.
TPRC's members include some of the world's leading companies in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, sports equipment manufacturing, and more. These companies collaborate with academic institutions to conduct cutting-edge research on thermoplastic composites.
One of TPRC's primary objectives is to develop new materials that are stronger yet lighter than traditional materials used in various industries. This objective has been achieved through extensive research on fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (FRT), which have superior mechanical properties compared to traditional metals or plastics.
Another area where TPRC excels is process innovation. The center has developed several innovative manufacturing processes for FRTs that enable faster production rates while maintaining high-quality standards. These processes include automated tape laying (ATL), automated fiber placement (AFP), thermoforming, injection molding, and more.
TPRC also focuses on developing new applications for FRTs across different industries. For instance, they have developed lightweight components for aircraft interiors that meet stringent safety regulations while reducing fuel consumption significantly. They have also developed FRT-based sports equipment such as tennis rackets that offer better performance than traditional rackets.
In addition to its core activities related to research and development of FRTs, TPRC also offers training programs for professionals who want to learn about this field or enhance their skills further. These programs cover topics such as material science fundamentals; design principles; manufacturing techniques; testing methods; quality control procedures; etc.
Overall, TPRC is a world-class research center dedicated to advancing the use of thermoplastic composites across different industries through innovation in materials science and engineering practices."
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