Traditional composite materials are already well known for their sustainable properties however there is always room for improvement. With ongoing development and innovation, renewable composites are becoming an increasingly viable option across a range of industries and at Piran Composites, we champion this.
Read on to find out how composites are renewable and why applying them to your product or industry is a step in the right direction.
What are Composites?
To put it simply, the term composite is used to describe a structural material, such as plastic, within which a fibrous material is embedded.
Using reverse engineering, composite materials are created by inserting fibres of one substance into the matrix of another. This allows the strength of individual fibres to be harnessed, provided they are embedded into the matrix that serves as an adhesive, binding the fibres together and making them strong. Combining the two together results in a new property that is far superior to the original components.
This unique combination means composites are able to offer a range of enhanced properties and these can be designed with the desired application in mind. From strength and durability to weight and thermal stability, composite materials are far superior and offer it all.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Composites
With the effects of climate change at the top of agendas, sustainability is at the forefront of every industry.
Research has proven that, the production of the materials needed to construct one square metre of a standard building can involve investing an amount of energy equivalent to that generated by the process of burning more than 150 litres of gas.
Each square metre constructed will result in an average emission of 0.5 tons of carbon dioxide and an energy consumption of 1,600 kWh (which will vary depending on the design of the building) if purely the material impacts are taken into account! This is astonishing and stresses the damaging impact of traditional building materials most commonly used, such as steel, cement or ceramics.
However, there is a solution and this is where Piran Composites can help, our renewable composites have a environmental impact.
Making Composites Renewable
Composite materials can be made from anything which provides a huge field of scope for making composites renewable simply by using renewable fibres and matrix.
Natural fibre-based composites have been used in recent years for a range of industrial sectors, these are sustainable materials which are naturally, easily available. In addition, they tend to be low-cost, lightweight, renewable and often biodegradable, all of which has led to an increase in its applications across various manufacturing sectors.
Renewable Composite Applications
Renewable composites can be applied across a diverse range of industries from renewable energy sources to mainstream power, construction, engineering and aerospace industries. There is a growing market for renewable composites particularly as the demand for lower carbon alternatives grows.
The energy sector in particular remains a focal growing market area with renewable composites having long been used for a variety of applications including pipelines for offshore and onshore oil and gas drilling as well as wind turbine blades and more.
Renewable composites can be applied to various components with moderate and high strength, encompassing everything from cars to mobile phones, false ceilings to furniture, toys, aircraft, ships and more!
Advantages of Renewable Composites
When compared with traditional composites or materials, renewable composites, such as those which use carbon-fibre reinforcements, are able to produce the same products using less fibre and resin, such as wind turbine blades. Carbon fibre reinforced renewable composites are also able to increase blade stiffness, thus improving aerodynamics whilst reducing the loads imposed by the blades on the wind turbine tower and hub.
In addition, renewable composites are generally less expensive, are lighter in weight and are sound insulated with increased flexibility.
Challenges and Limitations of Renewable Composites
As with any new or emerging product, there have been some issues associated with renewable composites.
The main issues involve the effects of moisture and humidity, strength reliability and enhancement in fire resistance to name a few. In addition, there are some concerns regarding natural fibre quality and consistency, fogging, odour emission and processing temperature limits.
However, innovation is a continuous process and we are pleased with all our developments to date which have seen significant improvements with plenty more to come. Our strive for perfection is a constant.
Future of Renewable Composites
The future scope of renewable composites is huge from the automotive and aerospace industries to renewable wind energy, electrical applications, sports products, civil construction, medical chemical industries and more.
Renewable composites materials have boundless engineering applications, where strength to weight ratio, low cost and ease of fabrication are required.
Role of Composites in Renewable Energy
Thanks to their adaptability, composites have a huge potential role to play in renewable energy. With climate change arguably the biggest challenge facing our planet, the use of renewable composites in renewable energy has never been more important.
Composites are already well known in the wind energy industry as using carbon fibre reduces the weight of the turbine blade, which means the blades can be made longer thus increasing the power output and efficiency of the wind turbine itself.
In addition, composites can be used to improve the conductors as they are able to carry roughly twice the current of steel cored conductors at much cooler operating temperatures.
Renewable composite cores also benefit from having a higher strength to weight ratio which allows a greater amount of aluminium in the cable for power transmission, without weighing the cable down.
Composite Materials for Renewable Energy
Composite materials for renewable energy are usually segmented into fibre type, application and geography. Fibre types will include fibre-reinforced polymers, carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers, glass-reinforced plastic amongst others.
The value and use of composite materials for the renewable energy market is expected to grow significantly faster than forecast periods predict. This is largely driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy globally for items such as wind turbine blades.
Conclusion
With our planet in a recognised climate emergency, it has never been more important to focus on the impact of our manufacturing. Renewable composites have a huge role to play in changing the way we work, improving our renewable energy sources whilst reducing the impact on the planet.
For more information about how Piran Composites can help advance your business whilst improving your carbon footprint, Get in touch today.
