C29, C30, F41, F43
ENEA Technology
LOW COST FIBER REINFORCED THERMOSTRUCTURAL COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
4÷7
Innovations and Benefits
The industrial production of polymeric composites (PMC) is traditionally performed by rolling on prepreg molds (generally based on carbon or basalt) and their subsequent thermoforming / thermosetting. The technology developed by ENEA aims to exploit the same operating methods and the same industrial structures, but focusing insted on ceramic matrix composites (CMC), thermostructural composites up to 800 °C and fire retardants up to 1200 °C. This result is obtained by developing "pre-impregnated prepregs", based on polymers which can be converted into ceramic by pyrolysis. The same technology is also applicable to the production of large panels (1-3 square meters), with the advantages of fire resistance, lightness (<2g/cm3) and pseudoplastic breakage.
Use
The technology appears to be applicable to the transport and construction sectors for lightweighting of structures, insulation and increasing in safety. Examples of possible applications are: insulating/fire resistant panels; oven walls; heat sinks and heat shields; ducts and bulkheads to be used at high temperature, exhaust pipes.
Applications and ongoing Activities
The ENEA activity focused on: development of preceramic prepregs; molds and forming technologies (with a patent allowing to obtain complex shapes, application No. RM2014A000726, now under European extension phase) by means of lamination and winding of filaments; microstructural and thermomechanical characterization of CMCs; optimization of production times; modulation of thermal conductivity; development of multi-material systems (bonding of PMC and light alloys, patent No. BO2013A000051). The ENEA activities focused on the use of secondary raw materials (basalt felts obtained by pyrolysis of PMC) and on end-of-life treatments, in order to improve LCA figures. Projects: MITAI, EEE-CFCC (POR-ERDF Region E.R. financed between 2012 and 2018), FP7 Matisse (2014-2018).
“If you are interested in this technology/service, please send a message to eneaperlinnovazione@enea.it, by specifying the title of the technology/service of your interest, the reason for your request and your contacts or the contacts of a person from your organization/company.
