Composites: From Glass to Natural Fibres

Textiles Intelligence, January 2003, Pages: 18

Research-based report examining the market for high strength, durable and light weight fibre-reinforced composite materials in a wide range of end use applications, including aircraft, passenger cars, and sports equipment

Assesses the fibres and resins used in composites, and examines the benefits and advantages offered by products made from composite materials

Profiles key players in the sector, namely: Saint-Gobain, Owens Corning, and Johns Manville

Provides a wealth of information, data and analysis on the market for composites, and presents it clearly - to save you time

Summary<BR>Introduction<BR>Resins<BR>Fibres<BR>Applications<BR>Markets<BR>Glass Fibre<BR>Market<BR>Major Players<BR>Saint-Gobain<BR>Owens Corning<BR>Johns Mancille<BR>Carbon Fibre<BR>Natural Fibres<BR>Biomat projects<BR>Recent Successes in Composites<BR>Aerospace: Airbus<BR>Marine: The Mirabella V<BR>Marine: Carbon propellers<BR>Wind trubines: LM Glassfiber<BR>Space: Solar sails<BR><BR>List of tables<BR><BR>Table 1: Distribution of the global glass reinforcement market by resin type, 2000<BR>Table 2: Production of glass fibre for composites by geographical region, 2002<BR>Table 3: World distribution of glass-fibre reinforced composites by end-use application, 2002<BR>Table 4: World capacity of PAN-based small tow carbon fibre, 2002<BR>Table 5: World capacity of PAN-based large tow carbon fibre, 2002<BR>Table 6: European wind turbine capacity, 2000 and 2004<BR>

Composite materials are found in many everyday products, ranging from aircraft, cars and boats to skis and golf clubs. <BR><BR>They consist of a tough fibrous material such as glass fibre bound together with a resin.<BR><BR>The result is a structure which is light in weight and strong. Many critical industrial, aerospace and military applications make use of composites because of their durability and their resistance to severe environmental conditions at a reasonable cost.<BR><BR>In spite of their obvious benefits, composites still account for only 0.2% of a market which remains dominated by metal, plastics and wood. <BR><BR>However, their use is growing rapidly. In 2002 alone growth<BR>in North America and Western Europe is estimated at 20%.<BR>About 90% of composites are based on glass fibre, combined with polyester or vinyl ester resins. However, the use of natural fibres such as hemp and flax has been growing rapidly. Ford Motors, for example, is committed to using wood and natural fibre-reinforced composites for structural purposes. This would take these materials well beyond their present cosmetic uses in trim. Ford has even predicted that car bodies themselves will be constructed from natural<BR>fibre composites in the medium term.<BR><BR>Composites can be made from many types of natural fibre. As well as flax, hemp and jute, candidates include less obvious materials such as straw, wood fibre, kenaf, wheat, barley and cane. Natural fibres have the advantage of being renewable. Also, many natural fibres, including pineapple leaf fibre and water hyacinth, are waste products and are available at minimal cost.<BR>

Customers who bought this item also bought

• UK Express Parcels
• New Business Models for the Caribbean and Americas Submarine Cable Industry
• Industry Spotlight on Sugar and Confectionery Products
• Industry Spotlight on Bottled Soft Drinks and Flavorings
• Industry Spotlight on Plumbing and Heating
• Industry Spotlight on Ordnance and Accessories
• Industry Spotlight on Radio, Television and Communication Equipment
• Industry Spotlight on Wholesale - Furniture and Home Furnishings
• Industry Spotlight on Wholesale - Lumber and Construction Materials
• Industry Spotlight on Wholesale - Hardware, Plumbing and Heating Equipment