Project description
Hybrid biocomposite offers aeronautics and automotive industries sustainable future
In the fast-paced world of aeronautics and automotive manufacturing, there’s a pressing problem: the environmental toll of conventional materials. These industries rely heavily on non-recyclable composites, leading to waste and high energy consumption. The EU-funded FURHY project will offer a solution by creating a matrix from a novel bio-based epoxy resin formulation filled with expanded graphite (EG), which offers not just structural integrity but also smart functionalities and will promote electro-curing. The project also uses a hybrid composite by incorporating hemp and recycled carbon fibres (rCFs), ensuring maximum environmental benefits. This hybridisation effectively leverages the strengths of both fibres while minimising their respective drawbacks. The overall goal is to equip the aeronautics and automotive sectors with sustainable, high-performance materials.
Objective
The project aims at the development of a new, bio-based, smart and completely recyclable composite material, obtained by fast and low energy consumption out-of-autoclave process. The matrix will be made by a new bio-based epoxy resin formulation filled by expanded graphite (EG), that will have a multiple role in the enhancement of both material and manufacturing process, providing smart-functions. A hybrid composite will be developed, by the use of hemp and recycled carbon fibers (rCFs), thus maximizing the environmental benefits with a life-cycle perspective. The hybridization will let to exploit the advantages offered by both fibers, minimizing the relevant drawbacks. The manufacturing process will consist in a low energy version of the prepreg compression moulding (PCM). Aeronautics and automotive field are the main sectors of interest.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineering
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibers
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesbiocomposites
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaeronautical engineering
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositescarbon fibers
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
72100 Cittadella Della Ricerca Brindisi
Italy