BIOMATERIALS

Testing

Thermoset-thermoplastic joining, natural fibers enable sustainability-focused brake cover

Award-winning motorcycle brake disc cover showcases potential for KTM Technologies’ Conexus joining technology and flax fiber composites.

Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

New research developments identify new methods for bio-derived carbon filler reinforcement for biocomposites

Sustainable methodologies employed by researchers from Tuskegee University enable the synthesis of carbon from biomass-based precursor materials, and its effective reinforcement in composites.

National Composites Centre participates in Horizon Europe GREEN-LOOP project

Research-intensive 17-partner innovation project will develop new sustainable and circular strategies with novel bio-based products using rubber, bioplastics and wood composites.

Natural Fibers

Super Formula, Bcomp announce sustainable fiber composite bodywork

Japan’s premiere single-seater race series confirms hybrid composite parts for SF23 chassis as part of Next 50 plan.

Additive Manufacturing

SeaBioComp project develops biocomposite demonstrator products for marine applications

Prototype products explore thermoplastic polymers, natural fibers and 3D printing technologies to effectively reduce the use of fossil-based materials in the marine sector.

Construction

University of Maine unveils 100% bio-based 3D-printed home

BioHome3D, made of wood fibers and bioresins and entirely 3D printed, highlights Maine’s effort to address the need for more affordable housing.

Bio-Sep propels sustainable composites development via forestry-produced biochemicals

Joint industry project with iCAST, NCC and University of Bath to produce and test bio-based composites from cellulose and lignin sawdust, replace fossil-derived ingredients.

ATL/AFP

Drawing design cues from nature: Designing for biomimetic composites, Part 1

Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary methodology that can inform composites design and manufacturing via use of more effective and sustainable materials, structural fabrication and technological practices.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Glass Fibers

Helicoid Industries releases three use cases of Helicoid technology

Use case applications with Helicoid technology implementation demonstrated mechanical performance improvements, such as impact resistance and strength.

Natural Fibers

Grand Largue Composites, Sicomin enable flax fiber-built Class40 racing yacht

Fibers, fabrics, epoxy resins and adhesives from Sicomin helped realize the lightweight, strong and stiff Crosscall yacht, capable of tackling extreme ocean racing conditions.

Design/Simulation

KTM Technologies motorsport component earns SPE Automotive Award

Brake disc protection comprises a balance of flax fibers and bio-based polyamides for almost 70% savings in CO2, improved recycling properties.

Marine

National Composites Centre wild water champion spearheads project for U.K.’s first sustainable kayak

A wild water kayak, made from composite materials and manufactured using Recyclamine technology, presents new solutions for sustainability and a challenge for graduate engineering team.

CAMX Expo

Materials & Processes: Composites fibers and resins

Compared to legacy materials like steel, aluminum, iron and titanium, composites are still coming of age, and only just now are being better understood by design and manufacturing engineers. However, composites’ physical properties — combined with unbeatable light weight — make them undeniably attractive.

Prepregs

Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites

The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.

Molds/Tools

Digitizing tools for composites production

Alpex Technologies focuses on industrialization, process and part intelligence and biocomposites in its next generation of tooling systems.

Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Natural Fibers

Lufthansa Technik, Diab develop greener composites for interior cabin components

Aeroflax flax fiber-based prepreg and one-step thermoplastic manufacturing process for 100% recyclable panels production pioneer lighter weight, reduce CO2 emissions.

Natural Fibers

TU/e leads project for “Smart Circular Bridge” made of biocomposites

The Netherlands-based 15-meter bridge for pedestrians and cyclists incorporates flax fibers reinforced by bioresin with glass fiber optic sensors to assist in ongoing research.

Natural Fibers

INCA Renewtech to build advanced biocomposites manufacturing facility in Alberta, Canada

The fiber processing and composites manufacturing facility will ramp up INCA’s production of highly refined short and long fibers to substitute increasingly scarce balsa wood in boats, wind turbine blades, rail and automotive.

Consumer

Notox surfboards combine upcycled carbon fiber from Airbus with Sicomin bio-resin

One-hundred percent upcycled fabrics declared unusable for aerospace applications go through a wet lamination process with vacuum bag consolidation to produce the sustainable Notox R-Carbon products.

Consumer

Bcomp, KTM Technologies brake cover listed as finalist for JEC Innovation Awards 2022

Flax fibers were used to reduce the CO2 emission of the motocross brake cover by 82%, with KTM’s Conexus for effective bonding between thermoset and thermoplastic parts.

AZL Aachen conducts study to evaluate the biocomposites market

Comprehensive Joint Market and Technology report identifies CAGR for natural fibers, biopolymers and bio-based composites market will reach 22.7% between 2021 and 2026.

Aerospace

Materials & Processes: Fibers for composites

The structural properties of composite materials are derived primarily from the fiber reinforcement. Fiber types, their manufacture, their uses and the end-market applications in which they find most use are described.

Staff

Core

TRB Lightweight Structures contributes composite bodyshell design to passenger train demonstrator

The Revolution VLR (Very Light Rail) passenger vehicle serves to simplify existing rail networks and reopen historical lines, while adhering to rigorous rail and sustainability regulations.

NatureWorks to open new headquarters and advanced biopolymers R&D facility

Located in Plymouth, Minn., the new facility will include state-of-the-art capabilities dedicated to fermentation R&D of new application using Ingeo PLA biopolymers.

Natural Fibers

Nordic Bioproducts successfully spins novel plant-based textile fiber

The Finnish startup begins an intensive product development period to scale up its Norratex fiber, which is manufactured without toxic chemicals or expensive solvents.

Nanomaterials

Auburn University make strides in advancing bio-based polymers and fibers for 3D-printed home construction

Interdisciplinary project utilizes biomaterial waste for sustainable composites development to produce resilient buildings with a low carbon footprint.

Materials

University of Limerick seeks to improve composites recycling solutions

VIBES project focuses on recycling technology maturation to develop bio-based, intrinsically recyclable materials for waste elimination, circular economy.

Epoxies

SHD Composites supports sustainability initiatives with launch of epoxy prepreg systems

SHD introduces its MTB350 component prepreg system and LTB310-1 low-temperature cure epoxy tooling prepreg with 30% bio-derived content.

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