UK car maker Riversimple is part of a consortium with NetComposites and KS Composites that has been awarded funding worth £125,000 to develop a bio-carbon fiber made from flax, helping to reduce noise vibration and cost in automotive applications. If adopted by niche and mainstream car makers, this new technology could lead to the creation of 7,000 jobs and generate revenues of £520 million a year, the company says.
Flax is a natural fiber which is sustainable and has excellent vibration damping properties. It has been shown to work well when combined with carbon fiber. Use of a flax-based product also has the benefit of reduced environmental impact.
This story is reprinted from material from Riversimple, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
