Towards fully sustainable high-performance biocomposites for lightweight vehicles
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Description
Cellulose fibres hold a potential to provide a sustainable alternative to glass and carbon fibres. However, their
application on a commercial scale is limited by the challenges around durability, water resistance, and
structural strength/engineering performance. In the automotive industry, there is interest in replacing glass
and carbon fibre, plastic and metal elements with biomaterials. Such substitution will result in the reduction of
vehicle weight, leading to increased fuel efficiency and lower carbon footprint. Some success in this matter has
been reported concerning the elements of car interiors, yet application of biocomposites for external parts
remains a challenge. In this project we examine a novel modification of cellulose fibres in order to improve the
water resistance and the strength/engineering performance related characteristics. Modified cellulose fibres
will be used to produce samples that will subsequently undergo testing according to the specifications provided
by car manufacturers. If successful, it will be a significant step towards 100% bio-based materials to be used in
a car body.
| Netcomposites Limited | LEAD_ORG |
| University of East Anglia | PARTICIPANT_ORG |
| Element Materials Technology Limited | PARTICIPANT_ORG |
| Netcomposites Limited | PARTICIPANT_ORG |
| Westfield Sports Cars Limited | PARTICIPANT_ORG |
| Beverly Frain | PM_PER |
Subjects by relevance
- Fibres
- Biomaterials
- Cellulose
- Carbon fibres
- Materials (matter)
- Composites
- Glass fibres
- Carbon
- Emissions
- Properties
- Glass
- Decrease (active)
Extracted key phrases
- Modified cellulose fibre
- Carbon fibre
- Performance biocomposite
- Sustainable high
- Engineering performance
- Lightweight vehicle
- Sustainable alternative
- Low carbon footprint
- Vehicle weight
- Water resistance
- Significant step
- Car interior
- Car manufacturer
- Structural strength
- Metal element