ECOCOMP - First International Conference on EcoComposites September 3-4, 2001 Queen Mary, University of London, UK

Biocomposites
State of the Art and Further Perspectives

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Composites

High potential for lightweight constructions Good media and corrosion resistance High damping properties Tailoring of properties in load path directions
Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
2

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Life-cycle of biocomposites
Recycling of raw materials Incineration

Recycling ?

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

3

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Kinds of natural fibres

natural fibres vegetable seed hair cotton kapok akon etc. bast fibres flax hemp jute ramie hard fibres agave banana bromelia cocos wool/hair sheep camel rabbits hair etc. animal silk mulberry silk coarse silk mineral asbestos

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

4

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Potentials of natural fibres

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 2 4 elongation [%]
Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
5

breaking length [km]

E-glass hemp flax ramie

sisal spruce

lyocell

cotton

10

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Biopolymers
biopolymers

polymer

polymer chain

monomer

biotechnological synthesis

natural synthesis

natural synthesis

e. g. PHB and copolyester

carbohydrate, proteins, polyphenolics e. g. cellulose, starch, casein, lignin, shellac

e. g. vegetable oil and derivatives, derivatives from sugar

physical methods e. g. decomposition, compounding chemical methods e. g. modification of side chains, cross-linking

physical methods e. g. decomposition, compounding chemical methods e. g. modification of side chains, cross-linking

physical methods e. g. decomposition, compounding chemical methods e. g. modification of side chains, cross-linking

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

6

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Manufacturing technologies Press moulding Pultrusion Filament winding RTM-Techniques Hand lay-up Etc.
Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
7

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Press moulding

Matrix

Fibres

Pre-heating and charging equipment

Press

Structural part

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

8

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Pultrusion
Charging equipment for nonwovens Fibre impregnation Die Reciprocating pullers Cut-off saw

Fibre magazine

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

9

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Bending properties of biocomposites

Normalised specific bending properties
Bending strength [%] 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 EP-petro UP-petro Bio-EP Bio-PU Bio-UP GFRP Bending Modulus [%]

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

10

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Designer office chair

Results Mechanical requirements almost achieved Ecological requirements fulfilled

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
11

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Car door interior panelling

Results Mechanical requirements fulfilled Good processing

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
12

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Support slats

Results Mechanical properties achieved Economical improvements still required Environmental friendly recovery options
Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
13

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Oleochemical thermosets

Results Short processing time Good processing Well suited with various manufacturing techniques
Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
14

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Industrial safety helmet

Results Safety standards fulfilled Good damping behaviour Similar price

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
15

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Railway applications

Results Fire protection requirements fulfilled Mechanical properties almost achieved Manufacturing costs still to be reduced
Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
16

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Housings
Goal: Replacing an ABS-injection moulded housing

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

17

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Perspektives: Biocomposites replacing GFRP

Exterior applications

(model of a crash helmet for motorcyclists)

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary
18

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Perspektives: Biocomposites replacing GFRP

Automotive industry

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

19

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Perspektives: Biocomposites replacing GFRP

Railway industry

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

20

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Perspektives: Biocomposites replacing GFRP

Energy management

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

21

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Perspektives: Biocomposites replacing GFRP

Aircraft industry

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

22

Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology

German Aerospace Center

ECOCOMP

Summary
More than a decade of R&D now First products to be launched very soon Optimisation of biocomposites esp. improving of fibre-matrix adhesion properties in general water resistance Tailor-made system for new applications

Composites Life-cycle Biocomposites R&D-projects Perspectives Summary

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Institute of Structural Mechanics, Structure Technology