Centexbel Textile Competence Centre
TEXTILE COMPETENCE CENTRE At the service of the industry
Centexbel Collective research and technical centre Governed by the industry Membership organisation Belgian textile companies Associated (international) member companies and organisations Staff 150 skilled and highly educated men and women
VKC Centexbel merger
VKC - Centexbel VKC, a division of Centexbel, expands our services to the plastic industry Technological advice materials, finished products and recycling Material characterisation Plastic processing platform injection moulding, extrusion, thermo-forming Training
Centexbel in Belgium
Products & Activities R&D Testing Services
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Innovation & Sustainability
Research Strategy Close to industrial needs and opportunities innovation in processes innovation in products Sustainability resource efficiency recycling of materials biopolymers (industrial implementation)
Collective Research Project-based financing by regional, federal and European authorities Consortium industrial and scientific partners Research results property of Centexbel but disseminated to the consortium partners/industry
Private Research Small, medium-sized and large private projects financed by regional, federal and European authorities or without funding on demand of the company Research results : property of the company
Research approach Material characterisation Thermal rheology Material processing Extrusion Coating Product properties Mechanical degradation Functional properties
Technology Fields Functional thermoplastic textiles Meltprocessing of polymers in textiles and composites Textile functionalisation and surface modification Coating, finishing and surface modification for new and superior functional performances Health, safety and security Textile products for health, safety and security purposes
FUNCTIONAL THERMOPLASTIC TEXTILES Technology field - 1
Functional Thermoplastic Textiles
Process & Product Optimisation
Characterisation polymers/yarns rheological (MFI, rot. reo, cap. reo) thermal (DSC/MDSC, TGA, TMA,...) structure (O.M., WAXD, SAXS, birefringence) Chemical (IR, FTIR, Emission, ) yarn properties (mechanical, crimp/shrink,...) -0.2 0,07 0,06 PR101/HS PR482/HS PB153/HS 70 60 break after peak value peak strain hardening effect 0,05 50 Heat Flow (W/g) -0.4 PE PP PA6 Intensity (a.u.) 0,04 0,03 load (N) 40 30 no strain hardening effect 0,02 20 PA66-0.6 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Exo Up Temperature ( C) Universal V2.4F TA Instruments 0,01 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 2 theta (degree) 10 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 extension (mm)
Further Processing Composite formation Knitting, Braiding, Coating, Finishing Additive Manufacturing: 3D-printing on textiles
Research: FIBRILTEX Microfibrillar reinforced textiles and derived composites Resin formulation, extrusion, consolidation, characterisation PP reinforced with PET microfibrils
Research: Blends4Innovation Advanced polymer blend technology PP/PET PP/PA PET/PA
Research on thermoplastic composites Self-reinforced PO based composites Extrusion, compaction process BioSRPC Self-reinforced PLA composites Extrusion, compaction process Flax/PP composites based on low-twist yarn Basalt/PP and Basalt/PA composites
Heat regulating textiles with PCM
TEXTILE FUNCTIONALISATION & SURFACE MODIFICATION TECHNOLOGY FIELD - 2
Research focus Functionalisation Sustainable materials & processes New market applications
Fabric Coating Direct coating Transfer coating Hotmelt coating Lamination UV, spray, sol gel, 25
CNT coating textile coating with carbon nanotubes to create flexible heating elements low quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as conductive filler material in coatings for: anti-static applications EMS shielding heating textiles
HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY TECHNOLOGY FIELD - 3
Medical textiles
Bio-absorbant knitwear
Clean room
Smart textiles
TESTING LABORATORIES Knowhow - facilities - accreditations
ISO 17025 Accredited laboratories Recognized by international relief organisations distribution companies consumers associations OEM s Belgian Federal Public Services (defense, police, traffic, employment)
MECHANICAL & PHYSICAL TESTING resistance & durability
Accelerated ageing & wheathering
Elcometer Resistance of wall covering against washing, rubbing, etc.
Comfort Mannekin test Thermo-physiological assessment of textiles and garments
CHEMICAL TESTING Absence of harmful substances
Dynamic Headspace with GC-MS For material composition analysis
µxrf Micro X-ray fluorescence for material composition analysis
BURNING BEHAVIOUR Flammability, flame spread & toxic gases
Flexiburn Vertical flame spread of curtains
Burning Behaviour
MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING Textiles for care & cure
Microbiological assessments Cleanroom facilities and toxicology
Barrier properties to viruses
Anti-bacterial and anti-fungi effect Electromicroscopic (SEM) picture of a contaminated fibre
PROTOTYPING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS
Coating line
Matex coating and laminating unit
Yarn coating Various applications 51
UV curing
Extrusion Platform Main equipment: Twin- screw compounder (+ mini-compounder) Slow speed lab spinning line (Plasticizer) High speed pilot multifilament extrusion line (ThermoAlfa) Spinmaster POY/FDY/BCF multifilament line Bicomponent multifilament extrusion line Tape/monofilament pilot line
Yarn extrusion line
Spin Master Equipped to extrude BCF (carpet) yarns, as well as flat CF & POY yarns.
Composite Press Small-scale press to produce unidirectional thermoplastic composites, mainly for testing purposes
Yarn winder for composite press
Braiding for composites Interlock braiding machine
4-layer interlock braids
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION Safety, Ecology & Social Issues - Notified Body # 0493
Protective Clothing & Gloves European Directive 89/686/EEC Equipment providing general body protection (clothing) hand and arm protection Protective clothing and gloves for use in potentially explosive atmospheres Protective equipment against biological agents & chemical agents, cold, electrical risks, heat, ionising radiation, mechanical risks, vibrations Specialised areas of competence: Body armour, High visibility clothing, knife cuts, protective clothing for firemen and protective equipment against handheld chainsaws
Construction Materials Construction products Regulation (305/2011/EEC) (floor & wall coverings) Slip resistance Reaction to fire Content of pentachlorophenol Emission of formaldehyde Release of heavy metals and vinyl chloride monomer
Toys Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC Test package including: assessment of chemical substances burning behaviour mechanical tests
OEKO-TEX Textile products without harmful substances
STeP - certified by OEKO-TEX Use of environmentally friendly technologies and products Working conditions Impact of the production plant on the environment
GUT Eco-friendly carpet production Absence of any contaminants Minimal emissions and odours in new carpet Recycling of used carpets and production waste
SERVICES To the industry
Consultancy Textile processes yarn engineering weaving, nonwoven, knitting, assembling, textile finishing & coating energy & waste management Product properties product safety product development Management innovation mass customization environment
Training Seminars Horizon explorations & breakfast sessions Project-related information sessions In-company training sessions Conferences International conferences on textile-related topics
Dissemination of Knowledge
Standardisation Belgian sector operator Standardisation committees CEN & ISO Belgian Mirror Committes Standard antennas
Patent Cell & Patent Library Centre Promote patents as a protection instrument Optimise information on IPR Support SME s in the textile sector with respect to patents Recognized PATLIB by EPO (european patent office) Privileged access to nonpublic data Refined online research
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