Carbon Fiber
S-Glass
Kevlar®
Polymers
High Strength Composites

Carbon Fiber
Carbon fibers are produced by spinning a precursor material into long continuous strands using centripetal force. These threads are then slowly heated to approximately 2000° in an inert atmosphere. This process, known as "carbonization," causes all impurities to evaporate. The resulting fiber consists of pure carbon with properties derived from the precursor and processing methods.

After carbonization, fibers are treated with protective coatings and bundled into long threads. These threads are then either woven into specific patterns, or laminated into long belts by a "pultrusion" system.

Today, almost all carbon fibers are made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Other precursors, such as pitch and rayon, are still used but remain unable to match the strength and quality of PAN. (back to top)

S-Glass
High-strength glass fibers are made by melting silica-based mixtures in furnaces. This molten glass is drawn through very small platinum bushings at speeds as high as 200 miles/hour. Between 200-4000 fibers are often drawn in parallel and then coated with a protective layer called a "sizing."

Each fiber has a thickness varying from only 9-23 microns. The specific material properties, such as tensile strength, and chemical resistance are determined by the contents of the original mixture and type of sizing used.

While GRPs (glass reinforced polymers) are not as strong or light as carbon fiber counterparts, they can provide a cost effective solution for light to moderate reinforcement needs. They are also ideal for use in blast mitigation and electrical insulation. (back to top)

KEVLAR®
KEVLAR®* (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide) is a type of aramid fiber. It was originally developed as a reinforcement in rubber applications, but has since proven to have other important uses such as fire prevention. KEVLAR® has no melting point and resists flames. It also has self extinguishing properties that make it an ideal replacement for asbestos. Even more important, is its ability to withstand direct impacts from gunshots and shrapnel. This has saved countless lives in the military and law enforcement.

The list goes on. KEVLAR® has a tensile strength 5 times that of steel with higher chemical resistance and lower thermal expansion. It also resists cutting and tearing. New uses are still emerging for this technology, and solidifying its role in structural reinforcement. (back to top)

*KEVLAR® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

Polymers
The thermosetting epoxide polymers employed by HJ3 have been tested to successfully withstand intense temperatures and pressures, even when submerged in highly acidic or alkaline chemicals. These are the polymers that form the protective casings over reinforcing fibers.

Furthermore, their superior adhesive strength and durability allow composites to be applied on nearly any substrate in nearly any environment. Custom formulas can also be created for special needs and applications. Even when limited accessibility has rendered other types of reinforcement impossible, polymer application can still be accomplished with relative ease.

Those concerned with the environment will also be glad to know that HJ3 polymers are free of any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Plus, since these polymers are inert after curing, safely disposing of them can be easily accomplished. (back to top)

High Strength Composites (HSCs)
High Strength Composites (HSCs) effectively fuse the benefits of epoxies and high-strength fibers to create materials that are both extremely reliable and versatile. When used in conjunction with steel and concrete substrates, significant increases to structural integrity and load bearing can be attained. Furthermore, the ability to strengthen and repair aging structures without the need to shut down production provides impressive cost savings compared to conventional solutions.

More and more applications will undoubtably emerge as this technology matures. Milestones in nanotechnology and material science have already created carbon nanotubes with properties that will inevitably revolutionize construction. As a core value of HJ3, we will continue to ensure that this research is developed in to solutions for infrastructure. (back to top)