Functionalized Innovative Carbon Fibers

BRUSSELS - April 18, 2016 - PRLog -- The European Commission is supporting the Functionalized Innovative Carbon Fibers Developed from Novel Precursors with Cost Efficiency and Tailored Properties (FIBRALSPEC) 4-year project, between eleven partners. National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) - Greece is the project coordinator and the partners are: Politechnico di Torino (POLITO) - Italy, University of Birmingham (UOB) - United Kingdom,  Thales research and technology (TRT) - France, Global Safeguard LTD - (GSG) -  United Kingdom, Open source management LTD - (OSM) - United Kingdom, Anthony, Patrick & Murta Exportação - (AP&M) - Portugal, Frantsevich Institute for problems of materials science - (IPMS) - Ukraine, CTM Equipment Limited - (CTM) - United Kingdom, Yuzhnoye SDO - (YUZ) -  Ukraine and Euromobilita s.r.o. - Czech Republic.

The FIBRALSPEC project is co-financed by the European Union's 7th framework programme (2007- 2013) to the tune of €6.08 million. The project contributes to the Sustainable Carbon Fiber field using Novel Precursors by addressing the deployment of new technologies and best practices. FIBRALSPEC initiative addresses new technologies, which have a clear market potential and a strong impact and as such promotes European Union's (EU) wide cooperation.

FIBRALSPEC focuses on conducting innovative processes with streamlining and improved control through a Unit for Continuous PAN-based Carbon Fiber Pilot Production. Testing of laminates and prepregs production based on the new developed Carbon Fibers followed by manufacturing of laminates/coupons and high- performance filament wound tubes. Efforts are also dedicated to the surface, functionalization, mainly focused on cost reduction and improvement of mechanical and chemical properties of Carbon Fibers. During the life of project, novel Carbon Fibres precursors such as lignin are being developed. Innovative surface treatment will improve the Carbon Fiber surface, being indispensable for productions in series. Life cycle assessment assists in possible commercial risks that are continuously estimated during the project and quantify/assess the environmental impact of the materials that will be used. As for recycling and utility of recycled Carbon Fibres, new techniques are applied to provide commercially-relevant products that are manufactured from waste Carbon Fibers.

"The project builds upon the experience gained and will result in upcoming breakthrough innovations, through challenges and goal achievements", project coordinator Prof Costas A. Charitidis says. "This project is a partnership between eleven partners, where all closely cooperate with industry to achieve technical solutions which can be sustained in the long term."

If you are interested in the FIBRALSPEC project research, more information can be found on their website: www.fibralspec.net