Electron Beam Curing to Optimize Performances and to Reduce Costs of Composites for Transportation Equipment Industry

Objective

Objectives and content

In the realm of world competition in transportation equipment industry, lightweight materials are one of the keys to reinforce competitiveness of European industry.

One of the most promising routes is the use of the composite materials. However, a significant improvement is still necessary for their manufacturing method, to reduce their costs and to increase their applicability range.
A new and very promising alternative method of composite curing (the last operation in composite manufacturing, to polymerize its resin matrix) has been developed: electron beam curing. This method has been industrially implemented for space & defense applications. Cost savings and proper final material properties were evidenced.

This project will demonstrate the quality improvements and costs savings to be expected in trains, marine and aeronautic applications through an experimental and manufacturing demonstration programme.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › materials engineering › composites

Programme(s)

• FP4-BRITE/EURAM 3 - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 0201 - Materials engineering

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

AEROSPATIALE MATRA SA

Address

33165 Saint-médard-en-jalles
France

Participants (8)

AACHEN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Germany

Address

49,pontstraße 49
52062 Aachen

AUSTRIAN RESEARCH CENTERS SIEBERDORF

Austria

Address

2444 Seibersdorf

Daimler-Benz AG

Germany

Address

81663 München

EUROCOPTER S.A.S.

France

Address

Aeroport International Marseille
13725 Marignane

Hexcel SA

France

Address

Z.i. Les Nappes
38630 Les Avenieres

Intermarine SpA - Gruppo Montedison

Italy

Address

Localita Ca' Del Sale Strada Alta
19038 Sarzana La Spezia

ROYAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Sweden

Address

Teknikringen 56-58
100 44 Stockholm

UNION CHIMIQUE BELGE SA

Belgium

Address

33,anderlechtstraat 33
1620 Drogenbos