Process and plant technology for the multifunctional impregnation of flat fiber semi-finished products made from renewable raw materials

• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Biomaterials ; Lightweight Construction, Textile Technology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533209974

The Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim (TH Rosenheim) applies for a process and plant technology for the multifunctional impregnation of flat fiber semi-finished products made from renewable raw materials. The main goal of this endeavor is to implement comprehensive and knowledge-oriented research in the field of CO2-neutral, lightweight structural materials, involving a wide range of disciplines at the TH Rosenheim. Inter-faculty research teams at the TH Rosenheim have already been working on natural and wood fiber-reinforced polymers in the areas of short fiber-reinforced compounds and long fiber-reinforced semi-finished products since 2014. Strengthening the wood-based bio-economy as well as researching and developing sustainable materials and processes for CO2-neutral, lightweight structural solutions have been the primary objectives of the work group. In order to implement comprehensive, climate-neutral lightweight solutions it is necessary to substitute materials that are based on non-renewable raw materials and to reduce their required quantities. State of the art and past research have demonstrated that there are still considerable gaps to be closed, especially the understanding of cross-process interactions along the entire production chain when compared with conventional reinforcing fibers such as glass. Even though previously conducted scientific work continues to promote an understanding of occurring cause-effect relationships, this R&D has been primarily focused on individual steps in the production chain. The aim of the TH Rosenheim is therefore to map the complete process chain at one location and to investigate interactions across processes. Furthermore, this enables exact and holistic data collection for the implementation of a realistic Life-Cycle Assessment and the possibility to do research on quality assurance measures. Gaining detailed knowledge especially for natural and recycled materials is essential for further goal-oriented R&D activities. Accomplishing a complete process chain at the TH Rosenheim requires the requested process and plant technology. The invest in combination with the existing resources at the TH Rosenheim will enable a qualified investigation of all processes commonly used in the industry to impregnate semi-finished products and their further processing into CO2-neutral and lightweight components incorporating high performance and functional density.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: Presstechnik zur Imprägnierung und Konsolidierung von flächigen Faserhalbzeugen ; Schmelzeimprägnierung mit Breitschlitzdüse
• Applicant Institution: Technische Hochschule Rosenheim
• Leader: Professor Peter Karlinger
• Co-Investigators: Dr.-Ing. Klaus Krämer; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Manuela List