Beyond the Value Limitations of Conventional Materials

The 3i Composites Technology Center is the research and development division of IDI Composites International. The 3i Technology Center was founded to meet industry-wide demands for stronger, lower density, and higher performing composite materials.

The 3i Composites Technology Center’s mission is to design, develop, and manufacture thermoset composite compounds for innovative customers seeking to go beyond the value limitations of conventional materials.

Our approach is centered around the three I’s: inquiry, idea, and innovation.

a visual showing the definition of inquiry - the act of asking questions in order to gather or collect information

Inquiry

To IDI, inquiry means identifying what customers value and what results will be meaningful to them.

A graphic with idea in red underline by grey and then spelled phonetically with the word noun next to it and another grey line that says the definition of idea as "the thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do"

Ideas

At the idea stage of the 3i process, we get creative and develop solutions that optimize performance.

A graphic with innovation in red underline by grey and then spelled phonetically with the word noun next to it and another grey line that says the definition of innovation as "the introduction of something new"

Innovation

We put ideas into action and execute in the final innovation stage to deliver results that provide customers a competitive advantage.

A wide angle from behind a SMC machine research line with two different presses in the background.
3i Capabilities

Where Innovation Takes Shape

The 3i Composites Technology Center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology to accelerate the breakthrough cycle for developing, testing, and manufacturing next generation composite materials. Our team of scientists, chemists and engineers work with customers to address their specific needs in order to formulate new and innovative composite materials.
Closeup shot of a person's hands placing a material into a test apparatus.
Material Development & Testing Capabilities

Physical Properties

  • Flexural, Tensile, Impact and Compression performance
  • Tensile tester equipped for  Optical Strain Measurement and DIC
  • Physical property measurements
  • Compositional analysis by Infrared Spectrophotometry and elemental analysis
  • Wide range of analytical and evaluative ISO and ASTM methods available

A man with blue protective gloves on placing a material into testing equipment.
Material Development & Testing Capabilities

Electrical Properties

  • Dielectric strength
  • Arc resistance
  • Surface conductivity
  • Incline plane tracking

A picture of a lab with multiple lab machines used for a variety of testing of SMC materials.
Material Development & Testing Capabilities

Flame Resistance & UV Resistance

  • Composites evaluated for compliance to a variety of Underwriters Laboratory (UL) flame standards including HB, V-0, and 5V
  • Colorimeter for measurement of molded-in color

3i Composites Technology Center
A wide angle from behind a SMC machine research line with two different presses in the background.
A picture of a SMC pilot line used for research and development.
A wide angle picture of two different presses that are on a manufacturing grey concrete floor.
A blue Wabash press.
A picture of two different machines in a manufacturing lab. One is a laser cutter and the other is a CNC cutter. On the wall are 2 different red signs both saying "composites perform".
A picture of a lab with multiple lab machines used for a variety of testing of SMC materials.
Eleven skateboard parts in a variety of colors.

Ready to engineer with IDI?

Contact us to speak with a 3i Engineer, request data sheets, or start your own custom compound project.

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