Workshop “Sustainable matrices for Structural Composites: processing and mechanical performance”

The end of life of thermoset matrices used in most current structural composites is problematic, because of their irreversible nature: technical fibers, such as carbon fibers with a huge embedded energy, cannot be recovered, and repurposing of components is not feasible because of the impossibility of reshaping.

Which sustainable alternatives do we have?

The workshop “Sustainable matrices for Structural Composites: processing and mechanical performance” (SUSMATx), co-organized by the REPOXYBLE partner University of Girona, gathers scientists and engineers on chemistry, materials science and mechanical engineering to offer an overview on novel and promising polymers intended to replace traditional thermosets.

Research challenges

Each new polymer poses manufacturing challenges and has performance limitations. As a result, their use as matrices for composites in advanced applications needs in-depth investigation. Thus, there are many ongoing studies on the processing and mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced sustainable polymers.

At SUSMATx, experts and scientists involved in the development of sustainable polymers design as matrices for structural composites, and in particular in their processing and mechanical performance characterization, will address some of the hot topics in this sector, such as:

• Bio-based thermosets
• Vitrimers and other Covalent Adaptive Network polymers
• Depolymerizable polymers
• High-performance thermoplastics

and the study of their mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, toughness, fatigue, time-dependent behaviour, etc.) as well as their thermal degradation and processing related properties.

Of particular relevance is the evaluation of the processability and practical use of these materials in different structural applications (aeronautics, automotive, railway, ships, etc.).

The SUSMATx workshop aims to bring these topics to the forefront of the debate, enabling and encouraging scientific exchange between researchers, and creating a network of peers with a common interest.

The workshop will be in Girona, 5th-6th September 2024.