JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #122 - July 2018 - 52

SOLUTlONS sustainability

synthetic fibres depending on
the fibre orientation.
As can be seen in the previous
figure, natural fibres such as
flax show a higher vibration
damping capacity than other
traditional
reinforcements
such as glass or carbon fibre.
Applications
Biocomposites
reinforced
with natural fibres have awakened growing interest over
the past years. Some examples
of current biocomposites
applications include interior
parts for the automotive sector, electrical and electronic
devices, sporting goods and
construction products. Many
companies and research institutes are currently making
great efforts to foster the use
of polymers reinforced with
natural fibres in different
application sectors. Some
examples are parts for the
naval sector, the automotive
industry, public transport,
municipal furniture, the energy sector, etc. Some examples
of biocomposites applications
can be found in the construction sector, as seen in Figure
10.
Many of these biocomposites,
including panels, do not contain the hazardous substances
currently used in conventional panels. Moreover, they are

lighter, which helps to save
fuel during their transport.
This weight reduction and
their end-of-life recycling
potential are very important
factors when defining whether the products are acceptable
from the environmental point
of view.
Another important aspect
is that biocomposites can
be formulated to meet the
required fire resistance properties. Biocomposites also
have suitable sound insulation
properties.
As regards R&D projects
for the construction sector,
AIMPLAS took part in the
OSIRYS European project
[9].

that are currently built within
the OSIRYS project to prove
the feasibility of the composite materials developed are
shown in Figure 11.

In this project, a prototype
using an exterior panel made
of epoxy bioresins and jute
reinforcement was developed.
The system's core is a multilayer module that contains
bio-foams,
fire-resistant
thermoplastic sheets and pultruded profiles providing the
required thermal, acoustic,
fire resistance and mechanical
properties.
The interior finish is also
based on biomaterials and
uses an active coating that
significantly improves the
interior environment. The
two demonstration buildings

More information:
www.aimplas.net/
research-and-development/
projects/research-and-development-sustainable-composite-materials-high-fire.

AIMPLAS also conducted the
PYROS collaborative project
"Research and development of
sustainable composites with outstanding fire resistance properties", together with the AITEX
Textile Research Institute.
The project was addressed to
the construction industry and
was funded by the Valencian
Institute of Business and
Competitiveness, IVACE. It
lasted two years, from January
2016 to December 2017.

References
[1] Fowler P., Hughes
M., Elias M. "Review
Biocomposites: Technology,
Environmental Credentials
and Market Force". J. Sci.
Food Agric. 86: 1781-1789,
2006
[2] Zhu X., Kim B-J., Wang Q.,
Wu Q. "Recent advances in

Fig. 11: Demonstration buildings currently developed within the OSIRYS project: social housing block in
San Sebastián, Spain (left) and multi-purpose building for a sports centre in Estonia (right)

jec composites magazine / N°122 July 2018

the sound insulation properties of bio-based materials".
Bioresources 9(1): 1764-1786
(2014)
[3] Asdrubali F. "I materiali
acustici sostenibili". Lettura
magistrale, Scuola di Acustica
dell'Università di Ferrara,
Ferrara, 15 November 2012
[4] Mahzan @ Mohd Zin,
Shahruddin and Ahmad Zaidi,
Ahmad Mujahid and Ghazali,
Mohd Imran and Yahya, Musli
Nizam and Ismail, Maziah
(2009). "Investigation on
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Engineering and Technology,
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Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
[5] Rider, Traci Rose, Glass,
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W.W. Norton & Co, New York,
2011
[6] Asdrubali F., Schiavoni S.,
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Journal of Building Acoustics
19(4): 283-312 (2012)
[7] Senthil Kumar K., Siva I.,
Jeyaraj P., Winowlin Jappes
J.T., Amico S.C., Rajini N.
"Synergy of fiber length and
content on free vibration and
damping behavior of natural
fiber polyester composite
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[8] "Lineo - Flax Prepreg.
PrePreg made of Flax
Fibers/Epoxy Resin". TDSFLAXPLY© -27 February
2010-V01
[9] http://osirysproject.eu/

http://www.aimplas.net/research-and-development/projects/research-and-development-sustainable-composite-materials-high-fire http://www.osirysproject.eu/

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