In eyewear manufacturing, the careful selection of materials is critical to achieving an optimal balance between performance, comfort, style and sustainability.

Applications such as frames, protective eyewear, temples and other components require essential properties like lightweight, impact resistance and durability.

These characteristics are directly influenced by the choice of the right materials and are crucial to ensuring eyewear that is both durable and comfortable, enhancing the overall user experience.

Xenia’s expertise allows manufacturers to achieve high flexibility in terms of mechanical performances and design, resulting in versatile applications suitable for different environments.

Xenia® Materials a le plaisir d’annoncer le lancement de la nouvelle teinte Whitened Shade pour les matériaux renforcés de fibres de carbone. Cette solution innovante offre une base de couleur plus claire que le noir traditionnel, ce qui permet de colorer le matériau en toute simplicité par mélange-maître lors des processus de moulage par injection et d’impression 3D avec des granulés.

Les composites thermoplastiques renforcés de fibres de carbone sont reconnus pour leur résistance, leur légèreté et leur durabilité, ce qui en fait des incontournables dans des secteurs tels que les biens de consommation, les applications industrielles et la mobilité. Toutefois, la couleur noire naturelle de la fibre de carbone, combinée aux matrices thermoplastiques, a toujours été un frein pour les applications où le design joue un rôle clé.

Afin de répondre à cette problématique, Xenia a développé une nouvelle technologie qui ouvre la voie à des matériaux renforcés de fibres de carbone qui se distinguent par une base chromatique plus claire. Le résultat est un composite thermoplastique qui, en plus de garantir d’excellentes propriétés mécaniques, offre une teinte Whitened Shade, permettant de personnaliser la couleur grâce à l’ajout de mélange-maître aussi bien pendant les processus de moulage par injection que ceux d’impression 3D avec des granulés.

Grâce à la Technologie Whitened, les matériaux Xenia conjuguent performance et design en une seule solution, ouvrant ainsi le champ des possibles en termes de personnalisation et de polyvalence.

Xenia® Materials is proud to have contributed to the success of Nyx, the innovative aircraft designed by Fly Mi – EUROAVIA Milano, the student association of engineers and designers from the Politecnico di Milano.

This project represents a significant achievement for both the Politecnico di Milano and Xenia Materials, highlighting how collaborations between industry and academic institutions can lead to groundbreaking advancements in innovation.

For the academic year 2023/2024, Fly Mi decided to participate in its first international competition: the Air Cargo Challenge, held in Germany last July.
Faced with the rules and restrictions imposed by the competition, the team developed and built Nyx, an ambitious drone crafted from composite materials. With a length of 1,5 meters and a wingspan of 3 meters, Nyx represents a remarkable achievement in engineering and design.

To meet the high demands of the Nyx project, Xenia Materials stepped in, supplying XECARB® 40-C20-3DP, a 20% carbon fibre reinforced polycarbonate specifically designed for Additive Manufacturing market. This material was essential in the creation of the moulds used for laminating the wings and control surfaces, which are crucial for the drone’s flight capabilities.

“With its low CTE values, the material provided by Xenia significantly reduced issues related to thermal shrinkage during the design phase, enabling us to produce higher-quality parts.
Furthermore, the absence of permanent deformations in the moulds after use, along with the resistance of internal surfaces to release agents, allowed us to repeatedly laminate the movable surfaces and test various internal configurations to find the best solution.” said the students who took part in the project.

The feedback of the engineers reflects how Xenia’s advanced material ensured the reliability and superior performance needed for the ambitious goal of the project:
“At Fly Mi EUROAVIA, we partnered with Xenia Materials to meet the demanding performance standards of our project. The lightness, recyclability and ease of handling of the moulds were key advantages, complemented by the increased sustainability of the process, adding significant value to our work.
Thanks to this collaboration, the Nyx project successfully achieved its ambitious goals, integrating advanced material science with pioneering aerospace engineering.” said M.H., serving as president of the Fly Mi Euroavia association at the time.

Discover more about the Academic & Research Support Program, Xenia’ s dedicated program for collaboration with universities, research centres and institutes of technology.

XECARB® 31 is Xenia’s latest addition to its Advanced Materials Collection.

This new carbon-fibre reinforced material, based on PA10.10, delivers exceptional strength and durability while being 100% bio-based.

This new material not only represents a step forward in performance but also aligns with Xenia’s commitment to sustainability.

With up to 50% carbon fibre reinforcement, XECARB® 31 ensures increased stiffness, making it ideal for structural applications that demand superior mechanical strength.

Furthermore, this new compound is well-suited for environments that require higher operating temperatures without compromising performance, thanks to its high melting point.

The PA10.10 base polymer ensures significantly reduced moisture absorption, improving long-term durability. Its excellent cold impact resistance makes it suitable for applications frequently exposed to low temperatures, such as outdoor environments and high-altitude settings.
The combination of lightweight construction and rigidity makes the XECARB® 31 optimal for high-performance sports equipment. This material enhances product durability without adding unnecessary weight, making it ideal for competitive sports where performance is crucial.

In the industrial sector, chemical resistance and mechanical stability are key advantages for parts exposed to harsh working conditions. This includes applications where the material’s ability to withstand heat, oil, and grease ensures longevity and reliable performance.

As a bio-based material sourced from castor oil, the PA10.10 significantly reduces dependence on fossil fuels, addressing the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions.

This new compound promotes a more circular and environmentally conscious approach to manufacturing, offering high performance without compromising on sustainability.

XECARB® 31 is available in the XERCARB®, XECARB® HM and XECARB® ST versions