leaders in sandwich composite solutions

The two boats that Ericsson entered in the 2008/2009 Volvo Round the
World Race make extensive use of sandwich composite technology.
leaders in sandwich composite solutions
Making products lighter, stronger and more competitive

Providing Solutions
DIAB is a world leader in the provision of innovative
sandwich composite solutions that make customers
products light, strong and competitive.
DIABs solutions include a complete range of high
performance core materials, cost effective kits and
a comprehensive range of engineering and process
support services.
Worldwide Supply & Support
DIAB has manufacturing facilities on four continents
and three research and development centers. In order
to offer close support to its global customer base DIAB
has 18 operating subsidiaries and strategically located
distributors around the world.
The company has been very much the technology
leader in its field. DIAB was instrumental in introducing
core kits to enable its customers to speed fabrica-
tion, improve quality, reduce inventory levels and cut
waste.
Optimizing the Usage of Sandwich Composites
It has also been in the vanguard of new environment-
friendly developments such as the widely used DIAB
Core Infusion process. This process brings together
all the benefits of sandwich composites with the pro-
cessing, performance and health and safety advantages
of closed molding.

A Technology Leader
DIAB has been at the leading edge of composite core
material development for over fifty years. In particular it
has pioneered the use of the sandwich concept to make
structures that are significantly lighter and stronger than
those made from steel, aluminum and wood.
the sandwich concept
DIAB structural cores and composite sandwich solutions
reduce weight while maintaining or improving strength
The Sandwich Concept
In principle a sandwich consists of two high strength
skins or facings separated by a core material. The skins
take up the bending stresses and give the structure
a hard wearing surface. The light DIAB core material
absorbs the shear stresses generated by loads, distrib-
uting them over a larger area.
Light & Strong
Compared to monolithic composite laminates, alumi-
num or steel, the sandwich concept significantly re-
duces weight and increases stiffness while maintaining
strength. Even higher strength and stiffness properties
can be achieved by increasing the thickness of the core
without a weight penalty. The higher stiffness can also
allow the supporting structure to be reduced thereby
enabling further weight reductions.
Freedom of Design
Sandwich composites give designers and engineers
tremendous freedom in terms of both form and func-
tion. Compound curves can be readily incorporated.
Also, as the outer skins can be accurately aligned to
the load paths, structural integrity and performance
can be maximized.
Excellent Strength to Weight Ratio
The excellent strength-to-weight ratio of the sandwich
concept can be used in a variety of ways - higher
speeds, longer range, greater payload capacity or
reduced power demand all of which give better
operating economy. DIAB sandwich composites also
offer good dynamic strength, low water absorption and
excellent insulation. Furthermore they require minimum
maintenance and repairs can often be carried out easily
without any loss of structural integrity.
Cost Effective
Components can be readily manufactured using low
cost tooling. In addition a wide variety of processes can
be used including hand and spray laminating, vacuum
consolidation, press molding and resin infusion.
 Skin

Bondline

Stiffness
DIAB Core

Sandwich

Sandwich
Monolithic Laminate
All laminates are
of equal strength.

Weight
our markets
DIAB sandwich cores and technology are used wherever and whenever
there is a need for low weight, high performance structures
Wind Energy
The wind energy market was quick to recognize the
benefits of using sandwich technology for not just the
blades but also the housings and spinners. Today DIAB
is working closely with the leading producers regarding
the next generation of wind turbines.
As wind turbines have become larger - 40 meter (130
ft.) blades are now commonplace - the role of sandwich
cores has become more and more important as they
improve the blades structural performance without
adding weight.
DIAB has been a leading supplier of sandwich cores to
the wind energy industry since the mid 1980s and now
over 100,000 DIAB-cored blades are in service.
Marine
In the marine field the sandwich approach is very much
the de facto standard with hundreds of thousands
of boats being built with DIAB cores. Pleasure craft,
work boats, ferries and military vessels rely on DIAB
sandwich cores to achieve new levels of performance
in terms of speed, strength, comfort, reliability and
longevity.
Sandwich composites, with their excellent fatigue and
slamming properties, are particularly ideal for rescue
craft, coast guard vessels and other para-military craft
that have to operate in high sea states.
Transportation
The DIAB sandwich concept is one of the best ways
to reduce weight in trains, trams, and buses, whether
it is used for structural members or paneling. DIAB
cores also increase stiffness and provide excellent
sound/thermal insulation properties thus eliminating
the need for subsidiary materials that add weight.
This further weight reduction results in even lower
energy consumption and consequently a much lower
environmental impact.
Industry
The industrial use of DIAB sandwich composites covers
everything from large buildings through to tanks and
even furniture and sculptures. Again the formability,
lightweight and corrosion resistant features of sandwich
come to the fore.
Architects and civil engineers are also using sandwich
composites for applications where a high strength,
lightweight and durable solution is required. Domes,
bridges and claddings are just a few of the applications
where DIAB sandwich cores are providing exceptional
performance. Moreover, with their ability to be produced
in complex shapes as single components, sandwich
composites give architects full creative freedom.
Aerospace
DIAB core materials are also used extensively by vir-
tually all sectors of the aerospace industry. In addition
to its Divinycell HT grade, DIAB has also developed
Divinycell F which is specifically for commercial aircraft
interiors.
Executive jets also feature lightweight DIAB cored
paneling for the interiors and military aircraft use DIAB
composites for both structural and non-structural ap-
plications.
Vestas, the worlds largest wind turbine manufacturer, uses DIAB sandwich
cores in the blades, nacelles and spinners.
a combination of
products
With its integrated range of products and services, DIAB
can partner its customers through every facet of the
composite design and manufacturing process in order
to improve component performance/quality, reduce
moulding times and cut material costs.

The Most Extensive Range

Its Divinycell range is undoubtedly the most compre-
hensive available allowing designers, engineers and
fabricators to choose the right core material for their
specific application.

In addition to its general purpose Divinycell H grade

and pre-preg compatible Divinycell HP, the company
produces grades that have been developed to suit
specific application areas. These include Divinycell P
which has been designed for land transportation and
construction applications and Divinycell F - the aircraft
interiors core. The company also produces ProBalsa
end-grain balsa core.

The Widest Range of Finishes

All DIAB cores can be supplied with the widest range of
finishes available in the industry. The aim is to facilitate
and speed core installation, enhance component qual-
ity and to meet specific process requirements. These
include grid-scored, double cut and grooved/perforated
forms that have been specially developed for the revo-
lutionary DIAB Core Infusion process.
DIAB has partnered with Skandinaviska Glassystem to develop this
innovative and award winning modular cladding system.

& services
Cost-Effective Kits
For those involved in series production, DIAB cores can
be supplied in ready-made construction kits where each
piece is pre-cut, shaped, as necessary, and numbered
to fit exactly into its designated place in the mold. This
substantially reduces build times, saves labor costs,
improves quality and virtually eliminates waste.

DIAB Technologies - Realizing Your Vision

DIAB Technologies role is to help our customers take
full advantage of the benefits offered by the DIAB
sandwich concept. With their long term experience and
knowledge, they can help with specific challenges or
be involved in the complete product development cycle
- laminate design, structural engineering, prototyping,
process auditing, development and optimization, train-
ing, manufacture and testing.

DIAB customers can take advantage of the companys

unrivalled level of product support and the specialist
skills offered by DIAB Technologies. Our highly skilled
and experienced teams are strategically located around

... in action the world so that we can offer you global support on
a local basis.
manufacturing
Think global - act local

DIAB has strategically-located manufacturing units in

Australia, China, Ecuador, India, Italy, Lithuania, Sweden,
the USA and Thailand in order to shorten the supply
chain and to be close to the customer.

Quality & Efficiency

Product quality and production efficiency are the
watchwords at every DIAB manufacturing plant. In order
to achieve both, the company has invested heavily in
state of the art production equipment and a skilled
and dedicated workforce.

Extensive use is made of CAD/CAM equipment to op-

timize efficiency and maximize quality. As many of the
manufacturing processes are unique and proprietary
to DIAB, a high proportion of the processing equip-
ment has been designed and developed by the DIAB
manufacturing team.

Each plant is accredited to ISO 9001 and meets local,

national and international standards regarding envi-
ronmental issues.
research and development
A commitment to continuous
improvement and product innovation

DIAB focuses on expanding the application areas for

its products by improving the benefits provided by
the sandwich concept. At the same time it operates a
policy of continuous improvement for all its products
and services.

Material Breakthroughs
Both Divinycell F, which was specifically developed
for commercial aircraft interiors, and Divinycell P
represent significant breakthroughs in core materials
technology.

Total Commitment to R & D

In addition to the recent introduction of Divinycell F
and P, DIAB has also added additional densities to its
Divinycell H and Divinycell HP grades and introduced
several new finishing options.

Our commitment to R & D enables us to present the

most complete range of products and services in the
industry and provide solutions to a wide number of
markets and applications.
 E
Z www.diabgroup.com

Australia China Denmark France Germany India

Tel +61 (0)2 9620 9999 Tel +86 (0)512 5763 0666 Tel +45 48 22 04 70 Tel +33 (0)5 56 47 20 43 Tel +49 (0)511 42 03 40 Tel +91 (0)44 42 31 67 68
info@au.diabgroup.com info@cn.diabgroup.com info@dk.diabgroup.com info@fr.diabgroup.com info@de.diabgroup.com info@in.diabgroup.com

Italy Norway Poland Spain Sweden

Tel +39 010 600 1248 Tel +47 66 98 19 30 Tel +48 602 449 660 Tel +34 980 167 982 Tel +46 (0)430 163 00
info@it.diabgroup.com info@no.diabgroup.com info@pl.diabgroup.com info@es.diabgroup.com info.se@se.diabgroup.com

Taiwan Thailand United Arab Emirates UK USA

Tel +886-2-27576330 Tel +66 38 465 388 Tel +971 (0)4 3371587 Tel +44 (0)1452 50 18 60 Tel +1 (972) 228-3500
info@tw.diabgroup.com info@th.diabgroup.com info@ae.diabgroup.com info@uk.diabgroup.com info@us.diabgroup.com

All content in this publication is protected under international copyright laws.

DIAB Group AB - March 2009