The kera composite material consists of geometrically well defined small and, specifically, very light, expanded mineral spheres – the kerapearls (insert body) – which are formed into a macroscopically, geometrically defined shape, and which are infiltrated through a pouring process with a fluid plastic or metal (matrix).
The establishment of many boundary layers and hollow chambers which is achieved through this, and the possibility of integrating elements for the transfer of force and for fastening, leads to a significantly reduced weight but with defined, adjustable shaping characteristics. Because of the low specific weight, the uniform and easily reproducible expansion structure, the ease with which it can be shaped, and its favorable capacity for energy absorption, this cellular composite material offers special advantages for lightweight construction, as in automotive engineering, for example.
The composite material can be used particularly well as core material in sandwich constructions, and provides, here, good rigidity and strength characteristics. Beyond that, the favorable capacity for energy absorption of closed-porous expanded materials promises extremely plastic functional solutions for:
