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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M86415/01
Title: LIGHTWEIGHT, RECYCLABLE AND ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIALS FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS USING HOT COMPACTION
Principal Investigator: Bassett, Professor D
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Reading
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 November 1999 Ends: 31 October 2001 Value (£): 106,677
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of this project is to understand and characterise the key parameters which control both the hot compaction behaviour and the properties of the compacted sheets produced by the hot compaction of tensile fabrics. Crucial to this will be the development of a satisfactory understanding of the mechanisms of the compaction process using a variety of techniques (for example DSC, X-ray and mechanical tests); the collaboration with reading, to establish the morphology of the compacted materials, will be a central part of this effort. While the initial focus for the study will be design requirements of automotive engineers for specific applications including lightweight, formability, recyclability and mechanical properties including temperature performance and impact strength. In order to achieve these performance requirements, oriented materials such as polyesters (PET, PBT) and liquid crystalline polymers will be investigated. A final area of study will be to manufacture a number of specimen automotive demonstrator parts, for rigorous assessment by Leeds and the Ford Motor Company.
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Organisation Website: http://www.rdg.ac.uk