Sustainable Approaches for a New Generation of Green Composites in Load-Bearing Applications.

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This PhD is focused on exploring the potentiality of Green Composites for structural applications in different industrial sectors. Current composite solutions although very effective in terms of specific properties still present some important weaknesses for structural applications, with traditional materials being often too brittle and characterised by a dangerously high environmental impact and by the lack of a proper recycling strategy. This PhD will focus on several strategies to overcome these limitations, ranging from the use of Natural Fibres and more sustainable matrix materials to develop composites that can outperform/match the performance of traditional synthetic materials without the negative effect on the environment. Indeed, currently synthetic fibres and resins accounts more than 10% of the total landfill space, therefore their replacement with greener alternatives will fit in the concept of sustainable economy, reducing the carbon footprint during the entire cradle-to-grave product cycle. During this PhD the student will engage with both experimental and computational work supervised by academics from the Mechanical Engineering and Health Departments in order to learn how to design, manufacture and characterise new composite solutions.