Objective To prove the technical superiority and economic competitiveness of integral high-performance, light-weight sandwich panels, based on 3D-weavings. This will be done by the design, manufacturing and testing of real parts for aeronautical, marine and ground transportation applications. Processes that have been subject of research include the weaving process itself, prepregging, limited RTM & pulltrusion experiments, hand lay-up and a new (patented) vacuum press technology developed in the project. Also the foaming process has been a unforeseen subject of research. Applications that have been investigated include fireproof panels, bulletproof ammunition chamber, helicopter subframe, minesweeper hull and superstructures, bus floors and automotive parts. The research has resulted in several technologies and extensive know-how: a patented production process for Integral Composite Sandwich Panels (ICSP), indepth knowledge of weaving of 3D-sandwich fabrics in glass and carbon, a new design for crash absorbing elements, a database of research results than can be used to find suitable panel compositions for a given application, and a finite element design tool (TOCO-AFICOSS) capable of predicting performance of sandwich configurations. Results achieved during the project that are already in a commercial stage include fireproof panels and various marine applications.Light weight sandwich panels (with honeycomb or foam cores), are not integrally technique is very expensive, and delaminations can cause serious problems in the use of these panels. Sometimes, the panels do not have the required properties (insulation for honeycombs, shear strength for foams). Recent adaptations of these materials have shown better performance, but also an increase in price and weight, and a reduction of secondary properties. Because of the high cost, sandwich panels are mainly used in aeronautical applications. A decrease in the cost/performance ratio could facilitate the use of sandwich panels in medium and low tech area's. A new type of sandwich panel, the Integral Composite Sandwich Panel (ICSP), will be made out of high performance composites based on 3D-weavings. This innovation leads to a construction material which is: -cheaper than the existing sandwich materials, due to a one step manufacturing process, which can even be automated for specific applications -technically superior: delamination and impact resistance of this material will be much higher. This will be combined with good basic mechanical properties, and improved environmental behaviour. Fields of science engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftrotorcraft Programme(s) FP2-BRITE/EURAM 1 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the fields of industrial manufacturing technologies and advanced materials applications (BRITE/EURAM), 1989-1992 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Parabeam Industrie- en Handelsonderneming BV EU contribution No data Address 04920 5700 HELMOND Netherlands See on map Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BREMEN SA Spain EU contribution No data Address BARRIO ATELA 6 48100 MUNGUIA See on map Total cost No data Hexcel SA Belgium EU contribution No data Address rue des Trois Bourdons 54 4840 WELKENRAEDT See on map Total cost No data Intermarine SpA - Gruppo Montedison Italy EU contribution No data Address Località Ca' del Sale Strada Alta 91 19038 Sarzana (SP) See on map Total cost No data Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Belgium EU contribution No data Address De Croylaan 2 3000 LEUVEN See on map Total cost No data Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH (MBB) Germany EU contribution No data Address 8000 MÜNCHEN See on map Total cost No data Metalleido Srl Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Terpi 26 16141 GENOVA See on map Total cost No data Universidad de Zaragoza Spain EU contribution No data Address Maria de Luna 3 50015 ZARAGOZA See on map Total cost No data
