RESCUE

The aim of the RESCUE project is the development of highly fire-resistant, lightweight composites based on basalt fibres and furan resin. A secondary aim is to develop a new and faster curing method with reduced energy costs using microwave curing. Basalt fibre offers a superior strength/weight ratio than glass so allowing a 20% weight reduction in the composite Cellulose interlayers may be used to further reduce weight and costs, while maintaining the fire resistance by char formation.

To achieve the aims the project will first focus on the production of a basalt-furan pre-preg. This will be cured by compression moulding and vacuum bagging. A microwave curing method for pre-pregs, using vacuum bagged material will be developed. The focus will be on convenience, form-freedom, curing time, energy consumption and composite properties. A cellulose interlayer will then be incorporated into the materials.

From preliminary testing, it has become clear that the envisioned composite will meet the needs of high-fire resistance materials while reducing the weight by approximately 33% and also reducing the energy consumption by 33%. Through the use of renewable materials like the furan resin and optionally cellulose based fabrics a reduced carbon footprint of 33% is considered feasible.

Image: Laminate made from basalt fabric & furan resin, courtesy Basaltex.

Project Partners

Basaltex. (co-ordinator), Belgium
Basaltex, a division of Flocart NV make and sell basalt fibre fabrics. The range includes woven fabrics, multi-axial stitched fabrics and non-wovens.

Centexbel, Belgium
Centexbel is the Belgian Textile Research Centre. Its role is to reinforce the competitive position of the Belgian textiles industries and has an extensive range of services, including testing, certification, consultancy and research.

TWI Ltd, UK
TWI is a global leader in materials and joining technologies and has been involved with microwave processing of materials (including metals, polymers and polymer composites) for over 10 years, and are now extending this knowledge into microwave processing of bio-composites.

For more information on the project please contact Dr Anthony Stevenson at NetComposites on +44 (0)1246 266 244 or info@netcomposites.com

Acknowledgement
RESCUE is a MATERA+ project funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the Flemish IWT (Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology)