Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Microbial decomposition of biodegradable plastics on the deep-sea floor:

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Microbial decomposition of biodegradable plastics on the deep-sea floor:

Microbes can decompose biodegradable plastics on land, rivers and seashore. However, it is unclear whether deep-sea microbes can degrade biodegradable plastics in the extreme environmental conditions of the seafloor. Here, we report microbial decomposition of representative biodegradable plastics (polyhydroxyalkanoates, biodegradable polyesters, and polysaccharide esters) at diverse deep-sea floor locations ranging in depth from 757 to 5552 m. The degradation of samples was evaluated in terms of weight loss, reduction in material thickness, and surface morphological changes. Poly(L-lactic acid) did not degrade at either shore or deep-sea sites, while other biodegradable polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and polysaccharide esters were degraded.

Biodegradation at the deep-sea floor:

We investigated the decomposition of representative biodegradable plastics (PHA, biodegradable polyesters, and polysaccharide esters) at the above-described five deep-sea floor locations. Injection-molded samples and films were placed in custom-made sample holders and mesh bags, respectively, and were placed on the deep-sea floor in a condition that prevented physical deformation [samples were placed in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers with holes, protected by tennis nets. Installation in the deep-sea and recovery of the samples were performed aboard the Shinkai 6500 human-occupied vehicle (HOV) using a robotic arm. The seafloor soil immediately below the samples was also recovered using a custom-made core and used for microbiological analysis.

Biodegradation of biodegradable polyesters at the deep-sea floor:

The picture shows the overall shapes and morphology of poly[(R)−3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)−3-hydroxyhexanoate] (PHBH) injection-molded samples placed on shore (PJM12) and off Hatsushima Island (BHT14) and Minamitorishima Island (AMN13) for approximately 1 year. The PHBH sample shown as an example is one in which degradation had progressed relatively well compared with other samples. The photographs taken from the top and the end after ultrasonic washing and drying, revealed that no physical deformation had occurred. Furthermore, it was confirmed by X-ray diffraction that the crystal structure of samples remained unchanged during the submersion periods at the deep-sea floor and experimental processing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show the surface profiles after removal of microorganisms from the surface. Whereas the surface morphology before degradation (original) was very smooth, the surfaces of the samples after placement on the shore or the deep-sea floor were observed to be uneven, and degradation was in progress.

source:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44368-8

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Carbon fibre Catamaran

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Cure Marine’s new 70-foot all-carbon fibre catamaran has embarked on her maiden journey

Australian Sunshine Coast boat building company Cure Marine has unveiled the ‘Cure Custom 70’, a 70-foot all-#carbonfiber catamaran, billed as ” the first of its kind built in Australia over the past five last years.”

The catamaran was crafted within Cure Marine’s state-of-the-art facility at Coolum Industrial Estate using high-tech equipment, including the southern hemisphere’s largest #3dprinter . The 3D printer provided by sister company, Zone RV, enabled Cure Marine to produce tooling and prototypes in a fraction of the time that the industry traditionally had seen.

Cure Marine CEO Carl Bird said the launch marked the beginning of a new era for the company. “The ‘Cure Custom 70’ is the largest sailing vessel ever launched by #CureMarine and indeed the first all-carbon sailing catamaran to be launched in Australia in the last five years”, Carl Bird said. “The launch not only reinforces Cure Marine’s commitment to innovation but also solidifies our position as a major player in the industry.”

Founded in 2005 by Sunshine Coast locals Dave Biggar and Ian McMahon, Cure Marine began as an ambitious project to create a leading composites facility and deliver high-end sailing vessels for the recreational market. Alongside sister companies Zone RV and One Composites, Cure Marine is dedicated to elevating the Australian Marine Industry with continuous innovation and quality craftsmanship.

source:www.curemarine.com.au/jeccomposites.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: PyroWall™ technology

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Revolutionizing fire proof protection and sustainability for FRP products – PyroWall™ technology

The introduction of ALEC² PyroWall™ has revolutionized fire protection in the FRP manufacturing industry, ushering in a new era of safety. Since its launch, ALEC² PyroWall™ has driven a significant improvement in fire protection standards, prioritizing safety and raising the bar for the entire FRP industry.

This revolutionary fireproof material, unlike any FRP composite material on the market, offers remarkable protection for FRP products against heat and fire events. This fireproofing capability paves the way for a significantly safer and more sustainable future across diverse FRP applications and industries.

A game-changer for FRP products and applications

ALEC² PyroWall™ fundamentally transforms fire protection for FRP products by providing a fireproof barrier. This is particularly crucial for sectors like:

Infrastructure construction

ALEC² PyroWall™ enhances the fire safety of new infrastructure components like building panels and cladding.

Infrastructure repair

Professionals can use ALEC² PyroWall™ to provide fireproof protection for FRP used to retrofit existing infrastructures and augment long-term safety.

Unlike traditional fire-resistant FRP, ALEC² PyroWall™ boasts:

• Zero Burn Rate – Eliminates the risk of ignition or fire propagation even in extreme heat.

• Unmatched Safety – Safeguards people and assets from impacts of fire events.

• Enhanced Structural Integrity – Maintains its form and characteristics during extreme heat and fire events, preventing catastrophic failures of the FRP being protected.

• Stops Fire Damage – properly protected FRP structures and/or products will not experience any significant impact.

Composite circularity and sustainability redefined

Beyond its exceptional fireproof capabilities, ALEC² PyroWall™ also achieves a remarkable 100% circular lifecycle:

• Closed-Loop System – Enables infinite recycling and reuse, eliminating reliance on virgin materials and landfill waste.

• Recycled Content – Composed of ~85% recycled industrial waste, it maximizes waste recovery and reuse and minimizes environmental impact.

• 100% Reusable – At end of use PyroWall™ can be easily recycled and processed into new products.

A safer and circular option for manufactured FRP composites used in diverse industries

The unique combination of fire proof safety and sustainability offered by the ALEC² PyroWall™ material empowers various industries to enhance their circular and sustainable composite materials goals:

Construction

From fireproofing building components and cladding to safer FRP infrastructure products, ALEC² PyroWall™ elevates fire safety to a new achievable standard in the built environment.

Manufacturing

Fireproofing FRP enclosures can significantly enhance people and asset safety in facilities.

source:www.alec2.com/jeccomposites

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Bio-circular Torayca carbon Fibre

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Toray Carbon Fibers Europe to supply bio-circular Torayca carbon fibre for HEAD’s prototype racquets

Toray Carbon Fibers Europe and HEAD are leaders in producing premium high-performance products and are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their activities. The decision to build a partnership to develop new racquets was also based on Toray’s ability to provide bio-circular carbon fibre (mass balance approach) for this project. Toray Carbon Fibers Europe recently obtained ISCC PLUS certification in September 2023 and is able to supply bio-circular carbon fibre using the mass balance approach. Therefore, products manufactured with bio-circular carbon fibre will emit less CO2.

As an environmentally responsibly oriented sporting goods manufacturer, HEAD recognizes there is much more to be done to reduce harmful emissions and protect biodiversity. For HEAD, the goal is to achieve maximum sustainability in all its processes, from manufacturing to shipping. HEAD has initiated the development of prototype racquets using Toray’s bio-circular carbon fibre (mass balance approach) as part of the HEAD ReThink programme to create performance products designed to reduce their impact on the environment.

Part of the Toray Group’s Sustainability Vision for 2050 is to create a world where resources are sustainably managed. The Toray Group aims to build a new materials eco-system that harnesses bio-circular raw materials to make products that at the end of their lifecycle are able to be repurposed or recycled. In providing innovative materials, Toray is actively contributing to addressing global issues and is implementing its corporate philosophy to ‘contribute to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies and products’.

‘Toray Carbon Fibers Europe is the European leader in premium carbon fibre and has a strong commitment to carbon neutrality. We are committed to consistently supplying our customers with the most advanced technology in a socially responsible way, thus providing value to society.

Pickleball is an indoor or outdoor game that is played on a level court with short-handled #paddles and a perforated #plasticball.

A mass balance approach is one in which raw materials with certain characteristics (an example being biomass-derived) are mixed with other raw materials (such as petroleum-derived ones) in the processing and distribution process, from raw materials through to finished products. Characteristics are assigned to part of a product in line with the input proportions of raw materials with those characteristics.

ISCC PLUS certification allows us to declare that Toray products are made from biomass or recycled raw materials in a mass balance approach.

‘Bio-circular’ means that the raw materials used to manufacture #carbonfiber are sourced from recycled and/or natural materials such as #sugarbeet waste.

source:www.toray-cfe.com/jeccomposites.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Max Shear Rate

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Sorry to disappoint some of you, but there is NO such a thing as Maximum admissible Shear Rate for a material in Injection Molding.

30+ years back, Colin Austin (Moldflow founder) wanted to put a recommendation in the code documentation and, having no clear answers from suppliers (including me at Solvay) he decided to list some values that were loosely based on a wild guess exercise. Actually an estimated typical shear rate (at some standard T) for a critical Shear Stress equal to an arbitrary fraction (abt 10%) of a Stress at break in the solid state. How wild is that ??

Shear rate does not destroy a polymer.

If chains break, that is due to Shear Stress, not shear rate. If they degrade thermally, it is the result of accumulated shear-heating along the flow. In both cases, shear rates alone CANNOT resolve the risk of damaging the material.

At low temperature (high viscosity hence higher stress) a lower shear rate can be more dangerous than a higher rate at a higher temperature (lower viscosity so potentially much lower stress).

So if you want to say something about the injection rate being too fast, check the stresses or the melt temperature increase. A high shear rate will be a warning signal, at best.

Source:Vito leo

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: Composite Rebar for Construction Sector

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Arkema and Sireg Geotech Develop Bendable Composite Rebar for Construction Sector 

Arkema and Sireg Geotech have developed the world's first bendable composite rebar. It provides an innovative alternative to traditional steel reinforcement. It is based on Arkema's Elium® resin. Sireg's Glasspree® TP bars represent a breakthrough for the construction sector.

Double the Tensile Strength of Steel:

Sireg's fiberglass bars using the Elium® thermoplastic resin have double the tensile strength of steel. They stand out by their remarkable light weight (75% lighter than steel), their corrosion-proof property and their chemical resistance. They show dimensional stability in the event of extreme thermal changes and are also fully recyclable. They contribute to the energy efficiency of structures. Also, they significantly reduce the carbon footprint of maintenance activities.

The Elium® thermoplastic resin ensures a major gain in productivity as well as greater flexibility for the supply of composite reinforcement, thus improving the overall profitability of construction projects. The range of applications of Sireg's Glasspree® TP bars is huge. It can be used for construction, maintenance, repair of buildings, bridges, tunnels, as well as marine and coastal structures, which demonstrates their adaptability.

“Glasspree® TP bars were developed through cooperation between Sireg and Arkema. They represent an innovation in the reinforcement of concrete structures as well as a new benchmark in terms of safety, reliability, and sustainability,” says Sonja Blanc, CEO Sireg.

For bridges these materials ensure an estimated service life of twice that of steel (i.e. 100 years), lighter weight, and superior corrosion resistance in a saline environment, lower lifecycle costs, and a lower impact on the environment.

Source: Arkema/omnexus.specialchem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Bio-based acrylonitrile

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Bio-based acrylonitrile for carbon fiber manufacture!

"As part of its research with bio-based ACN, Southern Research conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA), comparing biomass-to-ACN manufacture to petroleum-to-ACN manufacture. Results said bio-based ACN manufacture offers a carbon footprint of -1.57 pounds equivalent CO2 per pound of finished product, compared to 3.5 pounds equivalent CO2 per pound of finished product for petroleum-based ACN manufacture. In short, the bio-based feedstock allows for a process that conserves carbon emissions.

"Regarding cost, Southern Research’s process is sensitive to the purity of the sugars feedstock, and the higher the feedstock quality, the more expensive it is. When last spoke to Southern Research, it was getting ready to commission a small-scale production plant and looking for carbon fiber manufacturers willing to assess the quality of its ACN.

source:managingcomposites