Partners collaborate on testing of biocomposite materials
Project partners Ifremer, the University of Portsmouth and VLIZ have been conducting thorough and broad ranging testing of biocomposite materials in the quest to find suitable materials for pilot products for marine applications.
The University of Portsmouth has carried out extensive mechanical testing to understand flexural, tensile and drop weight limits.
Ifremer, the French Ocean Research Institute, have been conducting accelerated seawater ageing tests at different temperatures to study mechanical property changes. In addition they have been studying self reinforced PLA in terms of mechanical properties, seawater gain revealing promising long-term performance stability in marine conditions.
The Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ have been concentrating on micro-plastic formation and the ecotoxicity of the biocomposite materials. One clear result from the testing to date has been the need 3D print with smooth edges.
Future research will look at 3D printing filament to assess the quality of bio-based 3D printing materials as well as comparing fibres and filament qualities.
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