The European Commission is to support the Functionalized Innovative Carbon Fibers Developed from Novel Precursors with Cost Efficiency and Tailored Properties (FIBRALSPEC) four-year project, run by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece.
FIBRALSPEC has been co-financed by the European Union’s 7th framework programme (2007- 2013) to €6.08 million. It focuses on conducting innovative processes with streamlining and improved control through a unit for continuous PAN-based carbon fiber pilot production. This includes 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, cost reduction and improvement of the fibers’ mechanical and chemical properties.
The project is also investing in new techniques to make commercially-relevant products made from waste recycled carbon fibers.
The other partners in the project are Politechnico di Torino, Italy, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, Thales research and technology, France, Global Safeguard Ltd, United Kingdom, Open source management Ltd, United Kingdom, Anthony, Patrick & Murta Exportação, Portugal, Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science, Ukraine, CTM Equipment Limited, United Kingdom, Yuzhnoye SDO, Ukraine and Euromobilita sro, Czech Republic.
‘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 story is adapted from material from FIBRALSPEC, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
