Recyclable Thermoplastic PET Foam Sandwich Panels

100% Recyclable

Save Resources and Protect The Environment.

The Importance of PET Recycling

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a common thermoplastic polymer. It is made from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol through the polyesterification reaction. It is a transparent, strong and lightweight plastic. Perhaps in many people’s perception, these PET products are a major culprit in polluting the environment. In fact, however, post-consumer PET should not be considered waste but a resource because they are 100% recyclable. The recycling and reuse of PET is a sustainable development practice that helps reduce dependence on virgin petroleum resources, reduce waste disposal pressure, and reduce environmental pollution. In addition, by recycling PET, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced.

New FRP Sandwich Panels – Thermoplastic PET Sandwich Panels

FRP sandwich panels play an important role in many industries and are an economical and high-performance composite material. But after its service life expires, it needs to be recycled. Currently, most of the materials used on the market are thermosetting FRP, which has high recycling costs and causes certain harm to the environment. TOPOLO is committed to developing lightweight composite materials. After our continuous exploration and research, we have invented a new type of fiberglass composite panel with high reuse rate, safety and environmental protection – recyclable Thermoplastic PET foam core sandwich panels. Thermoplastic PET sandwich panels subvert the existing manufacturing methods of foam sandwich panels and are an innovation and breakthrough in composite materials.

Structure Schematic
Processing Schematic

Unique and Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Process

100% Recyclable Materials

In terms of materials, the skin of the recyclable PET foam sandwich panel is CFRT (continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet), which uses PET resin with the same plastic system as the core material as the matrix. Both the PET foam core and PET resin fiberglass skin are 100% recyclable.

Without Adhesive

In terms of manufacturing process, unlike other foam system sandwich panels that require the use of glue as an adhesive, the processing of PET sandwich panels uses a hot-melt composite process, which combines the thermoplastic sheet with the PET foam by heating it. No adhesive is used during the processing, and no odor or harmful substances are released.

Recyclable Thermoplastic PET Sandwich Panel Manufacturing

Better Performance

The use of more environmentally friendly materials and production technologies has not only not reduced the performance of PET sandwich panels, but has greatly improved them.

More Sturdy and Durable

CFRT sheet is made of multi-layer continuous fiber unidirectional tapes laid at different angles. Its glass fiber diameter is between 3 and 10 μm, and its glass fiber content reaches 70%. The dense fiber structure gives it a strong Its impact resistance and toughness, coupled with the scratch-resistant PET protective film on its surface, make its strength far higher than 4 to 7 times that of FRP sheets of the same thickness.

More Stable Structure

Using glue as an adhesive has many disadvantages. It easily becomes brittle at low temperatures and softens at high temperatures, causing delamination problems. However, after hot-melt lamination processing, the core material and skin are fused together, and the working temperature range can reach -60~120°C.

The Surface is Smoother

During the hot-melt lamination process, the air between the core material and the skin is completely exhausted. Since there is no problem of thermal expansion and contraction caused by the glue, the smoothness of the surface of the CFRT sheet is not inferior to Gel coat coated FRP sheet.

Wider Application Areas

Thermoplastic PET sandwich panels can replace aluminum panels, plywood and other metal or plastic plates to reduce the weight of the box and provide a longer service life. It is widely used in box trucks, travel trailers, boats, and mobile buildings, etc.