Composite Materials Workshop

A workspace with the equipment necessary to shape, mould and form with a wide range of materials including plastics, fibre glass, carbon fibre and resins.

The Composite Material Workshop is set up to form materials and to create moulds & castings of original items or to create reproductions.

The workshop is adjacent to both the metal and wood workshops allowing an enjoyable workflow when moving back and forth between processes. The area is supported by a technical specialist with a wealth of experience.

The Composite Materials workshop has full room air extraction and designated areas for mixing and casting a range of material types, such as Polyurethane and Epoxy Resin and an assortment of different flexible materials including Silicone Rubber, Flexible Polyurethanes and Gelflex.  Equipment in this space allows the shaping, bending and forming of acrylics and plastics. Students will be able to manipulate materials into different forms by using the strip heater, oven or the vacuum former, which enables the creation of hollow forms and shapes, perfect for model making.

The workshop has all the facilities to allow you to create bubble free castings and moulds by either using the vacuum chamber or the pressure pot and we are always adding new and interesting materials to advance students experience and knowledge of composites and plastics.

Attached to the workshops is a finishing room where all materials are brought together to be assembled and painted in the spray booth.

Equipment

  • Vacuum Chamber
  • Strip heater
  • Vacuum former
  • Material Oven
  • Heated Storage Cabinet
  • Foam Cutter
  • Pressure Pot

Range of pigments and moulds

Pouring a layered resin cast

Staff

Photo of Composite Materials Workshop

Location

Opening Times

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021