Texaco fuel station, Kruibeke_

The Texaco fuel station in Kruibeke, Belgium, is special because of the material used. A structural layer of Polyurea thermoplast has been sprayed over a structural polystyrene foam core. The material and production process chosen enabled the realisation of a double curved shape. Composite materials provide freedom of geometry and good insulation. These properties have definitely been integrated in the design of this building. 

Booms_

Carbon fiber booms for sailing yachts are a challenge for every engineer. The booms are typically designed to withstand gigantic loads. From afar, it seems that these booms have an easy job of sustaining such strains. The use of composite material combined with the correct designs and calculations offer here an elegant solution. Solico has engineered multiple carbon fiber booms that are currently being used in various yachts and has as well assisted in the production details and designs of various projects. 

Tidal Blades_

Together with our customer Tocardo, Solico developed, engineered and delivered a total of 6 sets tidal turbine blades. The blades vary in size from 2.5m to 4.5m. Holland Composites produced the turbine blades in close collaboration with Solico.

On November 26, 2015 the first tidal energy plant in the Dutch Eastern Scheldt was officially opened.

Design and engineering of composite products is our core business_

The largest independent composite engineering company in the Benelux.

Our vast experience is the best start for the success of your product.

Independence from production methods and suppliers results in the best design.

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Why are composites used here?

Insulation

Typical GRP lambda values are 1, compared to 50 for steel and 237 for aluminium, which results in excellent insulation properties.

Integration of functions

By combining functions such as strength and insulation in one product, a composite solution is often more cost effective than the sum of traditional solutions.

High strength

In general, fiber reinforced plastics outperform metals (e.g. steel and aluminium) in strength.

Aesthetics

Slender constructions and seamless façades are examples of aesthetics driven design. These type of structures are impossible to construct with traditional materials.

Lightweight

The specific weight of composites varies between 1.5 and 2.0 compared to 2.7 to 7.8 for aluminium and steel.

Sonar/Radar Transparency

Composites are very well known for their transparency to radar and low damping properties.

Chemical/corrosion resistance

Composite materials are resistant to a lot of chemical products such as acids, hydroxides, crude oil, etc. Corrosion resistance against salt and seawater is excellent.

Non-magnetic

The non-magnetic properties of glassfiber reinforced composites are a major advantage especially in sonar and radar applications.

High stiffness to weight ratio

The stiffness to weight ratio of a high modulus carbon fiber construction is typically 5 times higher than steel or aluminium.

Limited thermal expansion

Thermal expansion of composite materials can be tuned. Depending on the fiber used it can vary between 0 and 30 where steel has an alpha of 12.

Low maintenance

Steel structures typically require periodic maintenance such as conservation and paint systems to prevent corrosion. Composites are not susceptible to corrosion resulting in lower Life-cycle costs.

Cost effectiveness

Though composite materials themselves are slightly more expensive than metals, combining properties such as insulation and weight savings often results in a cost effective product.

Fatigue

The fatigue resistance of composites is much better than that of metals. Of course fatigue failure also occurs in GRP and CFRP and has to be analysed in detail.

Freedom of geometry

Double curved shapes are easily produced in composite materials at almost no extra cost. For production of limited series the relatively low moulding costs are an additional benefit.