NTPT Richard Mille watch - Case history

1. Building blocks
from Huntsman
Advanced
Materials meet
criteria for
manufacturing
ultra-thin
prepreg tapes
Huntsman Advanced Materials has
been supporting Swiss pre-impregnated
materials specialist North Thin Ply
Technology (NTPT) to produce ultra-thin
prepreg components on a Richard Mille
luxury watch case.
Founded in 2009, NTPT designs and
manufactures ultra-thin prepregs for high
performance composites applications.
From its main facility in Switzerland, the
company’s 25-strong team focuses on the
research and development of prototypes
and small series production.
Special techniques for
ultra-thin prepregs
The business offers unique spread tow
and associated prepregging techniques to
manufacture uni-directional prepreg tapes
processed with thermoset resins, which
can be as thin as a third of a human hair
in diameter. To facilitate their handling,
the company has also developed an
automated tape laying system. NTPT’s
technology package is completed with
simulation software which enables efficient
parts designs, taking advantage of the
uniqueness of ThinPregs®
.
Based on its track record and expertise
in formulating specialty components
for impregnation systems and its
understanding of the specific requirements
of ultra-thin prepreg processing, NTPT
decided to work with Huntsman on the
watch case project.
From components to high
value prepreg composites
The watch cases are made from thick
blocks of 400 thin ply of ThinPreg®
carbon
fibre uni-directional tape, pre-impregnated
with an epoxy resin matrix system based
on building blocks (resin, toughener and
hardener) selected with Huntsman’s
support. Because of the ultra-thin interply
thickness, the autoclave cured block can
be considered as a one phase material
which is machinable (drillable, millable) in
the same way as metal.
North Thin Ply Technology selects Huntsman Advanced
Materials prepreg system for Richard Mille luxury watch project
APPLICATION
Building blocks (resin, toughener and
hardener) used to produce ultra-thin
prepreg luxury watch cases
SPECIAL SERVICE CONDITIONS
> Building blocks that complement
the reinforcement material and help
optimise manufacturing processes
Cured uni-directional tapes
facilitating outstanding
machinability behaviour
ADVANTAGES FOR CUSTOMER
Efficient pre-impregnation of
uni-directional tape
Excellent filament bearing
properties
Resistance to delamination and
crack propagation
Production of a high quality,
lightweight prepreg part
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
A wide offering of specialty
building blocks
MATERIAL USED
Epoxy resin matrix system based
on building blocks (resin, toughener
and hardener)
CUSTOMER LOCATION
Switzerland
www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials

2. Combining accuracy
and performance
NTPT selected the Huntsman
combination of building blocks for this
particular application specifically for their
ability to meet the necessary criteria
required for manufacturing ultra-thin
prepreg tapes, as well as their filament
bearing properties and the resulting
resistance to delamination and crack
propagation, which provides the cured
uni-directional tapes with outstanding
machinability behaviour.
Gilles Rocher, Sales Marketing
Manager, NTPT, said:
“Both the reinforcement material and
matrix system play an equally important
role in achieving the right balance of
desired properties.
A formula for success
Matching process to performance
was key to the success of this project.
Thanks to the excellent product
recommendations and ongoing technical
support received from Huntsman, we
have been able to achieve our goals in
applying prepregs to deliver the highest
level of quality within an extremely
durable and lightweight watch case that
is built to last.”
Today, prepreg composites have become
the benchmark across many sectors of
the composites industry, applied for their
ease of use, consistent properties, high
quality surface finish and the wide choice
of types that are now available.
More and more markets including
the wind energy, automotive and
general transport sectors are adopting
prepreg composites to integrate
greater efficiencies at every level during
manufacturing whilst also focusing
on fulfilling higher strength to
weight requirements.
Huntsman’s wide offering of specialty
building blocks and specially formulated
resin matrix systems, and its involvement
in industry-leading projects such as
the Richard Mille watch case, shows
how the company is bringing the value
of discovery to success in commercial
propositions and facilitating the
continued growth of the market for
prepreg composites.
North Thin Ply Technology selects Huntsman Advanced
Materials prepreg system for Richard Mille luxury watch project
Statements in this release that are not historical
are forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on management’s current beliefs and
expectations. The forward-looking statements in this
release are subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties
that may affect the company’s operations, markets,
products, services, prices and other factors as
discussed in the Huntsman companies’ filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant
risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited
to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental,
political, legal, regulatory and technological factors.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the
company’s expectations will be realised. The company
assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any
forwardlooking statements should circumstances
change, except as otherwise required by securities and
other applicable laws.
© Huntsman Advanced Materials (Switzerland) GmbH
2004. ® Araldite is a registered trademark of Huntsman
Corporation or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but
not all, countries.
www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials
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NTPT’s automated tape laying system