Aviation is set to reach new heights as a
result of the development of a new type of plastic which is tougher, weighs less
and is cheaper to construct, being led by researchers at the University of Bath.
The NHYTE (New Hybrid Thermoplastic Composite
Aerostructures manufactured by Out of Autoclave Continuous Automated
Technologies) project has received €5.2m of Horizon 2020 funding and brings
together the expertise of several academic and industrial partners from across
the EU.
The NHYTE project, led at Bath by Professor
Michele Meo alongside Dr Francesco Ciampa and Dr Fulvio Pinto in the Department
of Mechanical Engineering, aims to develop an innovative multifunctional
composite which is both easier to manufacture and higher in mechanical
performance.
In comparison to current material used on
aeroplane wings and other components, this new multilayer material is
structurally stronger and is simpler to process, particularly the shorter time
it takes to manufacture and the reduced energy associated with the manufacturing
process.
As a result of reducing energy, the project
aims to also reduce associated Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide emissions from
less energy intensive manufacturing process as well as directly from flying due
to lighter and more efficient aeroplanes.
Holiday-goers and regular flyers are expected
to benefit from an overall increase in aviation safety as a result of this
material performing better, health benefits due to cleaner air through reduced
emissions, and eventually cheaper ticket prices as airline companies pass down
their own cost savings as a result of this innovative new material.
The high-performing material proposed in the
NHYTE project is based on a commercial PEEK-Carbon Fibre Prepreg with the
addition of amorphous (PEI) films. It answers to the needs to have reduced
weight and consequently reduced fuel consumptions and emissions on an aircraft,
as well as reduced manufacturing and operational costs.
Currently, such innovative materials have been
limited to being produced at just a laboratory level, but the NHYTE research
team are aiming to identify and implement a suitable manufacturing process which
can be up-scaled to an industrial level.
Professor Michele Meo
in the University of Bath’s Department of
Mechanical Engineering, said: “This innovative material, conceived and patented
by a partner of the Consortium, is an example of multifunctional composite,
since it returns both functions of toughness improvement and process
simplification.”
“This concept on one side will provide an
advantage in terms of better impact damage performance. On the other side, major
advantages will result on processing simplification, in particular including
improved cycle times and lower energy consumptions. The technological advances
of NHYTE will also reflect in higher inspection quality of aerospace composite
components and therefore an increase of safety.”
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