Composites
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**Bioinspired material puts the squeeze on plastics
A bioinspired composite material made from all-natural raw ingredients could offer a possible alternative to petroleum-based structural plastics, according to researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei [Guan et al., Nature Communications (2020) 11:5401, 10.1038/s41467-020-19174-1].
Plastics have found their way into every aspect of modern life but pose a significant environmental threat both in terms of their manufacture and end-of-life disposal. More sustainable alternatives made from bio-resources tend to have limited mechanical properties or require complex manufacturing processes.
“Petroleum-based plastics pose a great threat to the environment and human health,” points out Shu-Hong Yu, who led the work. “Developing sustainable structural materials as substitutes is one of the options for solving the pollution of petroleum-based plastics but remains challenging.”
Yu and his colleagues have devised a composite material based on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and mica platelets that they claim possesses better mechanical and thermal properties than conventional plastics. Inspired by nacre, the bricks-and-mortar-like material that makes up shells and other natural structures, the researchers devised a simple directional deforming assembly process that produces a material with promising strength, toughness, stiffness, and thermal stability.
To make the material, CNFs and TiO2-coated mica platelets, pretreated with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), are simply mixed together to form a hydrogel. The cross-linked hydrogel is then deformed – or squeezed – to align the platelets in the fibrous matrix, forming a nacre-like bricks-and-mortar structure.
The pretreatment with APTES is a crucial step because it improves the interfacial interaction between CNFs and TiO2-mica, which are otherwise poor, explains Yu. As a result, hydroxyl groups form on the nanosized TiO2 grains, which react with silane groups to form a silanized surface. In turn, the silanized surface helps the attachment of TiO2-mica to CNFs. Simultaneously, carboxyl groups in the CNFs are crosslinked by calcium ions in the mica to create a strong ionic bond network. The resulting composite has a strength of 281 MPa and a modulus of 20 GPa, higher than the constituent materials or typical natural nacres.
It is the bricks-and-mortar like structure of the composite that accounts for the mechanical properties. Under deformation, cracks have to propagate along tortuous paths around the TiO2-mica ‘bricks’, serving to relieve local stresses. Nanograins of TiO2 on the surface, meanwhile, slide past each other when strained to dissipate energy.
#composites
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A bioinspired composite material made from all-natural raw ingredients could offer a possible alternative to petroleum-based structural plastics, according to researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei [Guan et al., Nature Communications (2020) 11:5401, 10.1038/s41467-020-19174-1].
Plastics have found their way into every aspect of modern life but pose a significant environmental threat both in terms of their manufacture and end-of-life disposal. More sustainable alternatives made from bio-resources tend to have limited mechanical properties or require complex manufacturing processes.
“Petroleum-based plastics pose a great threat to the environment and human health,” points out Shu-Hong Yu, who led the work. “Developing sustainable structural materials as substitutes is one of the options for solving the pollution of petroleum-based plastics but remains challenging.”
Yu and his colleagues have devised a composite material based on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and mica platelets that they claim possesses better mechanical and thermal properties than conventional plastics. Inspired by nacre, the bricks-and-mortar-like material that makes up shells and other natural structures, the researchers devised a simple directional deforming assembly process that produces a material with promising strength, toughness, stiffness, and thermal stability.
To make the material, CNFs and TiO2-coated mica platelets, pretreated with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), are simply mixed together to form a hydrogel. The cross-linked hydrogel is then deformed – or squeezed – to align the platelets in the fibrous matrix, forming a nacre-like bricks-and-mortar structure.
The pretreatment with APTES is a crucial step because it improves the interfacial interaction between CNFs and TiO2-mica, which are otherwise poor, explains Yu. As a result, hydroxyl groups form on the nanosized TiO2 grains, which react with silane groups to form a silanized surface. In turn, the silanized surface helps the attachment of TiO2-mica to CNFs. Simultaneously, carboxyl groups in the CNFs are crosslinked by calcium ions in the mica to create a strong ionic bond network. The resulting composite has a strength of 281 MPa and a modulus of 20 GPa, higher than the constituent materials or typical natural nacres.
It is the bricks-and-mortar like structure of the composite that accounts for the mechanical properties. Under deformation, cracks have to propagate along tortuous paths around the TiO2-mica ‘bricks’, serving to relieve local stresses. Nanograins of TiO2 on the surface, meanwhile, slide past each other when strained to dissipate energy.
#composites
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Composites
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BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites offers B-PREG natural fiber-based semi-finished products
Portfolio expanded to include flax fiber/polypropylene UD prepreg tapes, woven prepregs and flax fabrics.
Reducing environmental impact is increasingly gaining importance for companies worldwide. As a result, the demand for natural fibers in composites is growing. As a supplier of raw materials and semi-finished products for the production of lightweight thermoplastic components, BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites (Oldenburg, Germany) has recognized this trend. To meet this increasing demand sustainable materials, BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites will cooperate with B-PREG (Izmir, Turkey), a supplier of natural fiber-based composites, to offer unidirectional (UD) prepregs tapes, woven prepregs and woven dry fabrics made using flax fiber and polypropylene polymer.
“B-PREG textile-based, semi-finished products are thermoplastic sheets reinforced with aligned natural fibers,” explains Dirk Punke, managing director of BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites. “They combine the advantages of recyclability and moldability of thermoplastics with carbon-neutral, bio-based reinforcement. The potential waste savings in production will reduce the pollution on the environment. There are also solutions with biodegradable thermoplastics for applications that should go beyond recyclability.”
The UD prepregs, tapes and fabrics can be processed by tape laying, thermoforming, vacuum forming, press forming and injection molding (back injection as well as overmolding). This leads to short cycle times with a high design flexibility for bio-based composite solutions. For example, these materials are used in interior design for wall panels, cabins, designer and luxury furniture and aircraft interiors by the application of specific fiber orientations and ply thicknesses.
#composites #thermoplastic
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Portfolio expanded to include flax fiber/polypropylene UD prepreg tapes, woven prepregs and flax fabrics.
Reducing environmental impact is increasingly gaining importance for companies worldwide. As a result, the demand for natural fibers in composites is growing. As a supplier of raw materials and semi-finished products for the production of lightweight thermoplastic components, BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites (Oldenburg, Germany) has recognized this trend. To meet this increasing demand sustainable materials, BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites will cooperate with B-PREG (Izmir, Turkey), a supplier of natural fiber-based composites, to offer unidirectional (UD) prepregs tapes, woven prepregs and woven dry fabrics made using flax fiber and polypropylene polymer.
“B-PREG textile-based, semi-finished products are thermoplastic sheets reinforced with aligned natural fibers,” explains Dirk Punke, managing director of BÜFA Thermoplastic Composites. “They combine the advantages of recyclability and moldability of thermoplastics with carbon-neutral, bio-based reinforcement. The potential waste savings in production will reduce the pollution on the environment. There are also solutions with biodegradable thermoplastics for applications that should go beyond recyclability.”
The UD prepregs, tapes and fabrics can be processed by tape laying, thermoforming, vacuum forming, press forming and injection molding (back injection as well as overmolding). This leads to short cycle times with a high design flexibility for bio-based composite solutions. For example, these materials are used in interior design for wall panels, cabins, designer and luxury furniture and aircraft interiors by the application of specific fiber orientations and ply thicknesses.
#composites #thermoplastic
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Dear friends!
We remind you that the main event in the composite industry, the Composite-Expo 2021 exhibition, will be held from March 30 to April 1 in Pavilion 1 of the Expocentre Fairgrounds.
Note!
The entrance to the exhibition is through the Western entrance to the EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds!
Exhibition opening hours:
March 30 and 31 - from 10.00 to 18.00
April 1 - from 10.00 to 16.00
As part of the business program, on March 31, the 2nd R&D Conference «Practical use of composite materials in different industries» will be held.
• catalog of exhibitors
• conference program
• get an invitation
• venue
See you at the exhibition!
#composites #CompositeExpo2021 #CompositeExpoExhibition
We remind you that the main event in the composite industry, the Composite-Expo 2021 exhibition, will be held from March 30 to April 1 in Pavilion 1 of the Expocentre Fairgrounds.
Note!
The entrance to the exhibition is through the Western entrance to the EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds!
Exhibition opening hours:
March 30 and 31 - from 10.00 to 18.00
April 1 - from 10.00 to 16.00
As part of the business program, on March 31, the 2nd R&D Conference «Practical use of composite materials in different industries» will be held.
• catalog of exhibitors
• conference program
• get an invitation
• venue
See you at the exhibition!
#composites #CompositeExpo2021 #CompositeExpoExhibition
Composites
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Composite-Expo 2021 Exhibition started!
Entrance to the territory of the Expocentre Fairgrounds is carried out through the Western entrance.
We will be glad to see you at the event!
Entrance to the territory of the Expocentre Fairgrounds is carried out through the Western entrance.
We will be glad to see you at the event!
Composite-Expo 2021 exhibition continues its work.
Today is the final day of the event.
Leading industry players will be delighted to see you at their stands.
Working hours: from 10.00 to 16.00.
> free invitation
#CompositeExpo #CompositeExpoExhibition #CompositeExpo2021
Today is the final day of the event.
Leading industry players will be delighted to see you at their stands.
Working hours: from 10.00 to 16.00.
> free invitation
#CompositeExpo #CompositeExpoExhibition #CompositeExpo2021
Dear participants and visitors!
Behind three active days of the Composite-Expo 2021 exhibition.
We will post the final information on the event (press release, photos, feedback from participants, statistics, etc.) on the official website in the near future.
We are grateful to our regular exhibitors, as well as companies that took part in the event for the first time for making a decision about full-time participation in the exhibition in this difficult period, and visitors for their active interest in the event and the business program within its framework!
We hope that in 2022 nothing will prevent the exhibition from being held in full, with the full participation of our foreign exhibitors!
The 14th International Exhibition Composite-Expo will be held from March 29 to March 31, 2022.
Advance booking of stands is already open!
Behind three active days of the Composite-Expo 2021 exhibition.
We will post the final information on the event (press release, photos, feedback from participants, statistics, etc.) on the official website in the near future.
We are grateful to our regular exhibitors, as well as companies that took part in the event for the first time for making a decision about full-time participation in the exhibition in this difficult period, and visitors for their active interest in the event and the business program within its framework!
We hope that in 2022 nothing will prevent the exhibition from being held in full, with the full participation of our foreign exhibitors!
The 14th International Exhibition Composite-Expo will be held from March 29 to March 31, 2022.
Advance booking of stands is already open!
Composites
Sandia National Laboratories’ Brandon Ennis holding a carbon fiber plank. Photo courtesy Randy Montoya.
Carbon fiber wind turbine blades could reduce cost
Sandia National Laboratories has released a new study which suggests that a new carbon fiber material could bring cost and performance benefits to the wind industry if developed commercially.
According to the company, wind blades containing carbon fiber weigh 25% less than ones made from traditional glass fiber materials. That means carbon fiber blades could be longer than glass fiber ones and capture more energy in locations with low wind. A switch to carbon fiber could also extend blade lifetime because carbon fiber materials have a high fatigue resistance, according to Brandon Ennis, a wind energy researcher at Sandia Labs and the principal investigator for the project.
However, costs are an issue in using carbon fiber, and turbine manufacturers have to build blades able to withstand compressive and fatigue loads for up to 30 years.
According to Ennis, a new lower-cost carbon fiber developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) could meet the performance needs of the wind industry and also bring cost benefits. This material starts with a widely available precursor from the textile industry containing thick bundles of acrylic fibers. The manufacturing process, which heats the fibers to convert them to carbon, is followed by an intermediate step that pulls the carbon fiber into planks. The plank-making pultrusion process creates carbon fiber with high performance and reliability needed for blade manufacturing and also allows for high production capacity, according to Sandia. The research team suggest that the material performed better than current commercial materials ‘in terms of cost-specific properties of most interest to the wind industry’.
In tests, the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber were compared to commercially available carbon fiber and standard glass fiber composites. Ennis then combined these measurements with cost modeling results from ORNL and used the data in a blade design analysis to assess the system impact of using the novel carbon fiber, instead of standard carbon fiber or glass fiber, as the main structural support in a wind blade.
#composites
> source
Sandia National Laboratories has released a new study which suggests that a new carbon fiber material could bring cost and performance benefits to the wind industry if developed commercially.
According to the company, wind blades containing carbon fiber weigh 25% less than ones made from traditional glass fiber materials. That means carbon fiber blades could be longer than glass fiber ones and capture more energy in locations with low wind. A switch to carbon fiber could also extend blade lifetime because carbon fiber materials have a high fatigue resistance, according to Brandon Ennis, a wind energy researcher at Sandia Labs and the principal investigator for the project.
However, costs are an issue in using carbon fiber, and turbine manufacturers have to build blades able to withstand compressive and fatigue loads for up to 30 years.
According to Ennis, a new lower-cost carbon fiber developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) could meet the performance needs of the wind industry and also bring cost benefits. This material starts with a widely available precursor from the textile industry containing thick bundles of acrylic fibers. The manufacturing process, which heats the fibers to convert them to carbon, is followed by an intermediate step that pulls the carbon fiber into planks. The plank-making pultrusion process creates carbon fiber with high performance and reliability needed for blade manufacturing and also allows for high production capacity, according to Sandia. The research team suggest that the material performed better than current commercial materials ‘in terms of cost-specific properties of most interest to the wind industry’.
In tests, the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber were compared to commercially available carbon fiber and standard glass fiber composites. Ennis then combined these measurements with cost modeling results from ORNL and used the data in a blade design analysis to assess the system impact of using the novel carbon fiber, instead of standard carbon fiber or glass fiber, as the main structural support in a wind blade.
#composites
> source
Composites
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Mikrosam and Composite Automation complete NIAR ATLAS installation
Mikrosam has completed the installation of its latest custom-made prepreg tape slitting and tow-rewinding machine at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University.
NIAR selected Composite Automation and Mikrosam to deliver a single-step slitting unit to facilitate its need to perform research on variety of composite prepregs in the Advanced Technologies Laboratory for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS). ATLAS is a multi-disciplinary manufacturing environment aimed at preparing engineers for the Factory of the Future and aiding industry with advanced material research with automated manufacturing technologies.
“With the addition of Mikrosam slitter to our portfolio of automated manufacturing equipment, we are able to support the demand from multiple automated fibre placement machines at NIAR – conducting research in a timely manner and supporting our industry partners’ slit-tape material needs,” said Dr Waruna Seneviratne, ATLAS director. “The integrated in-process inspection system and the machine-learning algorithm for detecting defects allows us to perform quality control on the fly.”
The prepreg slitting equipment from Mikrosam is a single-step process for slitting of unidirectional thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg tapes and rewinding them on multiple station traverse winders. The equipment is dedicated to slit prepreg tape from maximum width of 24.5” (600mm) down to 0.25” – 0.5” (6.35mm – 12.7mm) and then rewind on a spool that can be used for automated fibre placement (AFP). It can also be used for slitting down to 3” – 6” (75mm – 150mm) wide tapes on a spool that can be directly used on automated tape laying (ATL) processes.
#composites #Mikrosam
> source
Mikrosam has completed the installation of its latest custom-made prepreg tape slitting and tow-rewinding machine at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University.
NIAR selected Composite Automation and Mikrosam to deliver a single-step slitting unit to facilitate its need to perform research on variety of composite prepregs in the Advanced Technologies Laboratory for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS). ATLAS is a multi-disciplinary manufacturing environment aimed at preparing engineers for the Factory of the Future and aiding industry with advanced material research with automated manufacturing technologies.
“With the addition of Mikrosam slitter to our portfolio of automated manufacturing equipment, we are able to support the demand from multiple automated fibre placement machines at NIAR – conducting research in a timely manner and supporting our industry partners’ slit-tape material needs,” said Dr Waruna Seneviratne, ATLAS director. “The integrated in-process inspection system and the machine-learning algorithm for detecting defects allows us to perform quality control on the fly.”
The prepreg slitting equipment from Mikrosam is a single-step process for slitting of unidirectional thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg tapes and rewinding them on multiple station traverse winders. The equipment is dedicated to slit prepreg tape from maximum width of 24.5” (600mm) down to 0.25” – 0.5” (6.35mm – 12.7mm) and then rewind on a spool that can be used for automated fibre placement (AFP). It can also be used for slitting down to 3” – 6” (75mm – 150mm) wide tapes on a spool that can be directly used on automated tape laying (ATL) processes.
#composites #Mikrosam
> source
Composites
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Sicomin launches fire retardant bio-epoxy laminating resin
Sicomin has launched its new SR FireGreen 37 FR hand laminating resin. This latest addition to the GreenPoxy range of bio-epoxies combines exceptional fire performance with a more sustainable formulation, featuring 25% plant-based carbon content.
SR FireGreen 37 is an intumescent epoxy resin system optimised for hand laminating processes and is available with a range of hardeners to adjust cure times in manufacturing. FireGreen 37 features a halogen free chemistry resulting in very low smoke opacity and toxicity in a fire scenario.
Sicomin’s new resin system is suitable for small to very large components, with target applications in the transport, architecture and civil engineering sectors. ASTM E84 Class A classifications have already been achieved with additional fire testing, including EN 13-501 and EN 45-545, currently underway.
“We are thrilled to bring our new FireGreen 37 to the market, combining our strengths in fire performance and bio-based epoxies in a single more sustainable product,” commented Philippe Marcovich, president, Sicomin. “There are now nine products in the GreenPoxy range of bio-based epoxies providing solutions for Infusion, RTM, Casting, Laminating, Gelcoating and Foaming epoxy processes. We really do have all the bases covered.”
#composites #resin
> source
Sicomin has launched its new SR FireGreen 37 FR hand laminating resin. This latest addition to the GreenPoxy range of bio-epoxies combines exceptional fire performance with a more sustainable formulation, featuring 25% plant-based carbon content.
SR FireGreen 37 is an intumescent epoxy resin system optimised for hand laminating processes and is available with a range of hardeners to adjust cure times in manufacturing. FireGreen 37 features a halogen free chemistry resulting in very low smoke opacity and toxicity in a fire scenario.
Sicomin’s new resin system is suitable for small to very large components, with target applications in the transport, architecture and civil engineering sectors. ASTM E84 Class A classifications have already been achieved with additional fire testing, including EN 13-501 and EN 45-545, currently underway.
“We are thrilled to bring our new FireGreen 37 to the market, combining our strengths in fire performance and bio-based epoxies in a single more sustainable product,” commented Philippe Marcovich, president, Sicomin. “There are now nine products in the GreenPoxy range of bio-based epoxies providing solutions for Infusion, RTM, Casting, Laminating, Gelcoating and Foaming epoxy processes. We really do have all the bases covered.”
#composites #resin
> source
Composites
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New composites application for furniture and interiors
Renolit with EconCore have been exploring the various issues of lightweighting, modular design, easily formable and rigidity for the automotive and other markets.
Renolit was also seeking to improve properties of, chemical, thermal, water-resistance and rot-resistance.
It was quickly concluded that the EconCore honeycomb technology was the solution, while EconCore could see that Renolit would be able to innovate and find new uses for the product, and so EconCore granted Renolit a license for the continuous production of honeycomb panels.
Renolit’s R&D team got to work exploring the issues and saw that EconCore’s honeycomb would produce a very high level of rigidity offering weight savings at the same time. Both companies quickly saw the potential for other applications, such as furniture, using various thermoplastic materials.
Using a composite skin and PP honeycomb core, the required material properties can be achieved. Renolit deployed the honeycomb in its Gorcell range of products. Though starting in the automotive sector, it is now also used in a wide range of applications, for example flight cases, outdoor kitchens, truck superstructures, and bakery panels.
More recently Renolit is selling through a subsidiary for the first time into the B2C market with products for gardens, balconies and terraces, such as tissue boxes, plant & high beets and fences. The honeycomb is enabling a systems solution for the area around the house and garden so that garden furniture, storage options and privacy screen fit together beautifully in design.
Having developed the technology over a number of years to meet the desired specification of the market, EconCore’s honeycomb has enabled Renolit Gorcell to overcome several technical challenges, such as panel planarity, reduced golf ball effect, and smooth, scratch free surfaces.
#composites #honeycomb
> source
Renolit with EconCore have been exploring the various issues of lightweighting, modular design, easily formable and rigidity for the automotive and other markets.
Renolit was also seeking to improve properties of, chemical, thermal, water-resistance and rot-resistance.
It was quickly concluded that the EconCore honeycomb technology was the solution, while EconCore could see that Renolit would be able to innovate and find new uses for the product, and so EconCore granted Renolit a license for the continuous production of honeycomb panels.
Renolit’s R&D team got to work exploring the issues and saw that EconCore’s honeycomb would produce a very high level of rigidity offering weight savings at the same time. Both companies quickly saw the potential for other applications, such as furniture, using various thermoplastic materials.
Using a composite skin and PP honeycomb core, the required material properties can be achieved. Renolit deployed the honeycomb in its Gorcell range of products. Though starting in the automotive sector, it is now also used in a wide range of applications, for example flight cases, outdoor kitchens, truck superstructures, and bakery panels.
More recently Renolit is selling through a subsidiary for the first time into the B2C market with products for gardens, balconies and terraces, such as tissue boxes, plant & high beets and fences. The honeycomb is enabling a systems solution for the area around the house and garden so that garden furniture, storage options and privacy screen fit together beautifully in design.
Having developed the technology over a number of years to meet the desired specification of the market, EconCore’s honeycomb has enabled Renolit Gorcell to overcome several technical challenges, such as panel planarity, reduced golf ball effect, and smooth, scratch free surfaces.
#composites #honeycomb
> source