JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #83 - August/September 2013 - 49

Fig. 1: The industrial biomaterials value chain as seen by NRC

A strong value proposition

Motivated by the fact that Canada
already has world-class companies
representing the entire supply chain for
composite materials, as well as major
sources of bio-based fibres and the
extensive expertise and infrastructure
needed to process them, NRC aims to
work closely with industry to develop
lighter, stronger materials and products,
at lower cost, particularly for the ground
transportation and construction sectors.
Since the Canadian composite industry
sites addressing the needs of the ground
transportation and construction sectors
are primarily processing thermoset
polyester-based composites, NRC has
proposed to this industry, as a first step,
to replace glass fibres with bio-based
fibres. NRC is then currently launching
a multi-partner research project entitled:
“Thermoset polyester (UPE) / cellulosic
fibre biocomposites”. The purpose of
the project is to develop the know-how
and technologies needed to design,
manufacture and market biocomposite
parts made of polyester resin reinforced
with cellulosic fibres, and to transfer the
developed technologies to the industry.
The project is focussing on the following
topics:

Globally, this project wants to deliver a
strong value proposition to the industrial
collaborators in order to insure commercial success and hence a significant
tangible impact. The specific deliverables
of this project are:

- development of UPE/cellulosic fibre
biocomposites,
- optimization of the process on a 3D
prototype: infusion or light resin transfer moulding,
- performance characterization,
- recycling,
- prototyping and technology transfer,
- environmental impact assessment,
- price positioning.

- Formulation of UPE resins that are
adapted to the development of cellulosic fibre composite parts and
exhibit better properties and mechanical performance than the cellulosic
fibre based composites currently available on the market.
- A fibre treatment protocol that produces a biocomposite with improved
mechanical performance and resistance to moisture and fire.
- A list of fibre parameters that are
critical for obtaining cellulosic fibre
reinforcement structures adapted to
the requirements of the forming process and mechanical performance of a
composite part.
- Prototypes of cellulosic fibre mats and
woven fabrics that are appropriate for
the selected forming processes and
meet the partner’s technical requirements.
- Processing windows for the selected
moulding process (infusion or
LRTM).
- Procedures, types of tools and specific
equipment needed to manufacture the
parts, and cost estimates.
- A database that includes all test
results: short-term properties (tension,
flexion, HDT and impact), long-term
properties (fatigue), fire resistance
and durability by studying the effect
of environmental conditions (tempera-

The Centre de développement des matériaux composites du Québec is a major
collaborator in this project, providing expertise in the areas of recycling and price
positioning. With this project, NRC also
aims at fostering the creation of a value
chain for agri-fibres to meet the requirements of the composite market.
For this purpose, a team of industrial partners including fibre processors, primary
and secondary processors, composite
moulders and part manufacturers is
engaged in the project. The currently participating companies are: Regitex, Texel,
Sogel, BHS Composites, FDC Composites, Bombardier Recreative Products and
Bombardier Transportation. NRC also
welcomes other Canadian companies to
be part of the team. The proposed multiparty agreement provides cost sharing
and technology transfer opportunities to
the partners. In addition, collaborators
will have the opportunity to meet and
interact on a regular basis, and eventually
build together a complete value chain for
biocomposites.
The work will extend over three years,
for an estimated cost of $1.5 million. The
project is funded by the Consortium Innovation Polymères in Québec. Canadian
companies participating in the project can
also receive financial support from the Industrial Assistance Programme of NRC. n

No83 August - September 2013 /

More information:
www. imi.cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
johanne.denault@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca

Special JEC Americas 2013

A complete value chain

ture, moisture, UV) on the mechanical
performance;
- Recommendations on the recycling
potential of biocomposites, including
the identification of potential applications and processes for biocomposite
recyclates;
- Results of LCA modelling of UPE/
cellulosic fibre systems and UPE/glass
fibre composites, and comparative assessment of their environmental
impact.
- Results of price positioning analyses
for the manufacture of cellulosic fibre
based composite parts.
- Part prototypes.

jec composites magazine 49
http://www.imi.cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #83 - August/September 2013

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