nova-Institute
(Source: nova-Institute)
Native bast plants such as flax, hemp and nettle have been used for fiber production for centuries. The DuroBast project focuses on the use of bast fibers in the production of so-called large scale composite structural components. Here, bast fibers are to be used in the production of thermoplastically formable, natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFRP) and enable the industrial use of renewable raw materials for a wide range of applications. The research team aims to transfer the project results to concrete applications such as automotive interiors (for example door panels), sports equipment (snowboards) and public transport (bus bellows) in the near future.
Under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF, Darmstadt/Germany, an interdisciplinary research consortium with 11 partners from science and industry is working on the development of innovative bio-based materials. The project partners Dräxlmaier GmbH & Co. KG, Vilsbiburg/Germany, Gustav Gerster GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach/Germany, Hübner GmbH & Co. KG, Kassel/Germany, the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA), Aachen/Germany, the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials GmbH, Leibnitz/Germany, the nova-Institute, Hürth/Germany, Rhenoflex GmbH, Ludwigshafen/Germany, silbaerg GmbH, Chemnitz/Germany, Wagenfelder Spinnereien GmbH, Wagenfeld/Germany, and the Chair of Materials Test Engineering (WPT) of TU Dortmund University, Dortmund/Germany, are linking their expertise in all areas of the value chain for this purpose.
Due to their high moisture absorption, bast fibers have only been used to a limited extent in plastics and durable applications. Therefore, one of the innovative goals of the DuroBast project is to significantly reduce the moisture absorption of the fibers through modification and then process them into yarns, nonwovens and fabrics. To this end, fiber cavities and inter-fiber spaces are filled with a thermoplastic that prevents water absorption even at damaged areas and cut edges of the composites.
In order to achieve 100% bio-based material combinations in the long term, the aim is to use a polymer matrix with bio-based plastics. The process should subsequently also enable improved bonding of the matrix to the natural fiber component. All selected components must also fulfil the target criteria of processability, economic efficiency, availability and sustainability.
Another focus of the DuroBast project is the support of regional and national agriculture and forestry as well as their upstream and downstream sectors. Therefore, the project team is exclusively investigating bast fibers that can easily be grown in the German region.
The use of hemp fibers in fiber-reinforced plastics can thus reduce the proportion of fossil plastic components by replacing them with renewable alternatives. Initial tests on the production of hemp-polypropylene organic sheets delivered promising results. These fiber-reinforced thermoplastics impress with strength and lightness and are just as easy to process as conventional sheet metal components.
Under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF, Darmstadt/Germany, an interdisciplinary research consortium with 11 partners from science and industry is working on the development of innovative bio-based materials. The project partners Dräxlmaier GmbH & Co. KG, Vilsbiburg/Germany, Gustav Gerster GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach/Germany, Hübner GmbH & Co. KG, Kassel/Germany, the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA), Aachen/Germany, the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials GmbH, Leibnitz/Germany, the nova-Institute, Hürth/Germany, Rhenoflex GmbH, Ludwigshafen/Germany, silbaerg GmbH, Chemnitz/Germany, Wagenfelder Spinnereien GmbH, Wagenfeld/Germany, and the Chair of Materials Test Engineering (WPT) of TU Dortmund University, Dortmund/Germany, are linking their expertise in all areas of the value chain for this purpose.
Due to their high moisture absorption, bast fibers have only been used to a limited extent in plastics and durable applications. Therefore, one of the innovative goals of the DuroBast project is to significantly reduce the moisture absorption of the fibers through modification and then process them into yarns, nonwovens and fabrics. To this end, fiber cavities and inter-fiber spaces are filled with a thermoplastic that prevents water absorption even at damaged areas and cut edges of the composites.
In order to achieve 100% bio-based material combinations in the long term, the aim is to use a polymer matrix with bio-based plastics. The process should subsequently also enable improved bonding of the matrix to the natural fiber component. All selected components must also fulfil the target criteria of processability, economic efficiency, availability and sustainability.
Another focus of the DuroBast project is the support of regional and national agriculture and forestry as well as their upstream and downstream sectors. Therefore, the project team is exclusively investigating bast fibers that can easily be grown in the German region.
The use of hemp fibers in fiber-reinforced plastics can thus reduce the proportion of fossil plastic components by replacing them with renewable alternatives. Initial tests on the production of hemp-polypropylene organic sheets delivered promising results. These fiber-reinforced thermoplastics impress with strength and lightness and are just as easy to process as conventional sheet metal components.
