Composite Market

Composite Applications

Release liners are used in many composites’ applications including prepreg manufacturing operations, composite panel production and resin filming processes. Fox River Associates supplies release liners to meet these demanding applications for composite material in aerospace, industrial and recreational products.

Because of the extreme conditions release liners are exposed to during processing and storage, release liners for composite applications must be engineered with specific performance characteristics including improved layflat properties and dimensional stability.  Fox River Associates understands the unique characteristics of these demanding applications and is ready to serve your release liner needs.

Contact the Fox River Associates team today! Call us at 1-800-647-6579 or email us at info@foxriverassociates.com. Our experienced team has the expertise to recommend the appropriate release liner for your composites applications.

Release Liners in Prepreg Manufacturing

Pre-impregnated materials, or prepregs, are a key component of advanced composite manufacturing. These materials consist of fibers (such as carbon, glass, or aramid) pre-coated with a resin system that is partially cured. This resin-impregnated structure ensures uniform distribution of resin across the fiber and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Release liners are vital in the production and handling of prepregs. The primary roles of release liners include:

1. 1. Resin Containment: The release liner serves as a barrier to prevent resin leakage during storage and handling, preserving the prepreg’s structural and chemical properties.
   2. Surface Protection: Release liners shield the prepreg from contaminants like dust and moisture, maintaining the integrity of the resin and fiber.
   3. Ease of Handling: By providing a non-stick surface, release liners facilitate the separation of the prepreg from the release liner without damaging the material, ensuring a clean and consistent transfer.

Characteristics Required for Prepreg Release Liners:

• Thermal Stability: Release liners must withstand curing temperatures without deforming or losing their release properties.
• Controlled Release Force: A release liner with appropriate release force ensures that it can be easily removed without disrupting the resin-fiber interface.
• Chemical Resistance: Resistance to resin and curing agents is essential to prevent degradation of the release liner.
• Dimensional Stability: The release liner must remain dimensionally stable to avoid wrinkles or distortion during the layup process.

Both paper release liners and film release liners from Fox River Associates are used in prepreg manufacturing. Film release liners offer excellent dimensional stability and clarity for precise visual inspection. Paper release liners provide a sustainable option and are suitable for lower-cost or less demanding applications.

Ready to learn more about the release liners for prepreg applications? Our experienced Composites team is ready to work with you. Use the form on this page or call us today at 1-800-647-6579. 

Release Liners in Composite Panel Production

Composite panels are integral to industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. These panels are often manufactured using prepregs or by layering resin-infused fabrics. During production, release liners contribute to the efficiency and quality of the process.

Key Functions of Release Liners in Panel Production:

1. 1. Layup Assistance: Release liners simplify the positioning and layering of prepregs or fabrics, especially in large-scale panels.
   2. Prevention of Resin Bleed: Siliconized release liners prevent resin from escaping during the curing process, ensuring consistent panel thickness and uniformity.
   3. Surface Finishing: Release liners can impart specific surface textures or finishes to the cured composite panel, such as smooth or matte effects.
   4. Debulking and Vacuum Bagging Support: In vacuum-assisted curing processes, release liners act as a barrier between the composite material and the vacuum bag, facilitating air removal and resin flow.

Characteristics Needed for Composite Panel Release Liners:

• High Strength: Release liners must resist tearing during handling, especially in large-scale operations.
• Non-Stick Properties: Uniform silicone coatings ensure that the release liner can be removed without leaving residues on the composite surface.
• Customizable Surface Properties: Some applications require release liners with textured surfaces to achieve specific panel finishes.
• Compatibility with Vacuum Processes: Release liners should perform well under vacuum conditions, maintaining their integrity and performance.

Film release liners are used in composite panel production for their precision and ability to create consistent finishes. However, paper release liners remain popular in applications where cost or environmental considerations are prioritized. Fox River Associates offers a full range of paper release liners and film release liners for composite panel applications. Contact us today for more information.

The Fox River Associates Composites product and service spectrum includes:

For more information about Fox River Associates’ full line of film and paper release liner products for composites applications message us at info@foxriverassociates.com  and our experienced team will contact you.

Fox River Associates Delivers

The experienced team at Fox River Associates is dedicated to helping you identify the appropriate release liner for your application and delivering the release liner material you need when and where you need it. We work in partnership with you to ensure your success.

Our expert knowledge of silicone and release coatings, adhesive, and chemical coatings, and converting operations like diecutting and slitting, makes Fox River Associates the best choice for helping you grow your business. The combination of technical knowledge, product inventory, and quality assurance is what we deliver. We have deep knowledge in release liner design – substrates, processing environments, transportation, storage conditions, die-cutting and slitting requirements, and end-use environmental conditions. Our expertise in the markets we serve helps us to quickly understand your specific needs and work together to drive to the right product recommendations for the market application

Inventory Management

At Fox River Associates, we focus on helping customers sustain and grow their businesses by having release liner products available when, how and where you need them.  You are not restricted by large minimum order quantities or long lead times. Working with Fox River Associates means you’ll receive release liner in rolls that match the width and length that makes the most sense for your business.

To learn more about all the film and paper release liners available from Fox River Associates, contact us today. Use the form on this page or call us at 1-800-647-6579 - Our experienced team is ready to work with you.

Fox River Associates is now ISO 9001:2015 Certified