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H2020Doctoral network2018–2022

HyFiSyn · Hybrid Fibre-reinforced composites: achieving Synergetic effects through microstructural design and advanced simulation tools

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2018-06-01 → 2022-05-31
EU contribution
€3,371,703
Participants
11
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Hybrid Fibre-reinforced composites: achieving Synergetic effects through microstructural design and advanced simulation tools

Fibre-reinforced composites offer excellent specific stiffness and strength and hence can help to reduce fuel consumption and combat climate change. HyFiSyn aims to change the manufacturing-microstructure paradigm to a microstructure-manufacturing paradigm: the manufacturing of composites will be deliberately controlled to yield the targeted microstructure instead of vice versa. This is the only way to maximise the potential benefits of fibre-hybrid composites and composites in general. Since fibre-hybrid composites have a complex microstructure as well as a large design space, this paradigm shift cannot be achieved solely through experimentation. HyFiSyn therefore developed suitable simulation tools to catalyse the desired paradigm shift. These tools will also help in predicting synergetic effects achieved by combining different fibre types. These effects help to maximise the mechanical and functional properties and need to be considered for accurate predictions. The process simulation tools will also help gaining better control of the manufacturing and hence the microstructure. HyFiSyn’s research therefore has 4 objectives: • To develop simulation tools to predict synergies and to support changes in manufacturing • To fundamentally understand failure mechanisms of fibre-hybrid composites as a function of their microstructure • To modify existing manufacturing processes to yield the desired microstructures • To set up clear guidelines for designing fibre-hybrid composites for specific applications To achieve HyFiSyn’s ambitious goals, academic partners, material manufacturers and end users jointly tackle these challenges.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The EU has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. The transport sector is a major contributor to these emissions, but the targets for this sector cannot be met with currently available materials technology. Due to the direct link between weight and energy consumption, EU investment in advancing lightweight technologies is crucial. Therefore, fibre-reinforced composites are a key technology, but they are not yet widely used due (1) to their high price, (2) overdesign due to a lack of toughness and (3) difficulties with recycling. Addressing these challenges through fibre-hybridisation requires a highly interdisciplinary team of researchers with a strong background in both modelling and experimentation. Since such combined expertise is scarce, HyFiSyn aims to train 13 early stage researchers to become interdisciplinary, multi-talented experts. The 8 universities, 5 industrial partners and 2 professional training organisations offer the researchers a unique opportunity to be trained by world-leading experts in cutting-edge technologies, where they are supported by a strong network and industry participation. The training programme strongly emphasises entrepreneurship and innovation skills to maximise the impact of the project, thereby increasing the EU’s innovation capacity. Simultaneously, the researchers will be trained through research by developing and experimentally validating advanced simulation tools to predict optimal microstructures for fibre-hybrid composites. These microstructures will then be manufactured and verified in industrial applications. To further increase its impact, HyFiSyn also designs hybrids with smart and functional properties, and will investigate strategies for more efficient usage of recycled fibres through fibre-hybridisation. The overall goal is to fundamentally understand synergetic effects, so that they can be maximally exploited and unprecedented composite performance can be achieved.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN · LeuvenCoordinatorBelgium
  • BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT · MUNCHENGermany
  • BUDAPESTI MUSZAKI ES GAZDASAGTUDOMANYI EGYETEM · BudapestHungary
  • DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
  • ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE · LausanneSwitzerland
  • GEN 2 CARBON LIMITED · COSELEY DUDLEYUnited Kingdom
  • IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE · LondonUnited Kingdom
  • NORTH THIN PLY TECHNOLOGY SARL · RenensSwitzerland
  • SIOEN INDUSTRIES NV · ArdooieBelgium
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · NottinghamUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITAT WIEN · WienAustria

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union