Esprit

Resource-Efficient Self-Reinforced Plastics

The Esprit project is centred on developing Self-Reinforced Plastics (SRPs) into new areas of processing and performance. SRPs are best described as a thermoplastic polymer matrix reinforced with high-tenacity fibres derived from the same polymer family resulting in a material with 3 to 5 times the strength and stiffness of the unreinforced polymer. This allows less material to be used for the same performance, in the case of Esprit the aim is a 30% reduction. In addition to reducing material usage the resultant materials are highly recyclable as unlike glass or carbon-reinforced plastics they do not have the contaminating mineral fibres.

Currently, SRP materials are manufactured from commodity or lower-cost polymers and are only available in sheet or fabric form, limiting design and processing possibilities. The Esprit project will develop flowing versions of polymers such as polyamides, polyolefins and polyesters which will open the door to compression and injection moulding processes and the associated design freedom and efficient material utilisation.

Key to making this radical improvement will be selective heating of the matrix polymer without adversely affecting the properties of the fibre element of the composites. This will be achieved by developing infra-red, induction and microwave technology and by the parallel development of the materials to match.

Starting with small-scale lab-based investigations the project team, over the 3.5 year project, will work up to commercial-scale machinery capable of industrial moulding.

Project website: www.espritproject.eu

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This project is co-funded by the European Commission. FP7 is the short name for the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. This is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and it will run from 2007-2013. FP7 is also designed to respond to Europe's employment needs, competitiveness and quality of life.