Report Photovoltaic
Report Photovoltaic Panel www.polymer-pilotplants.com www.iwmh.fraunhofer.de Optimized Processing of Natural Materials in Pilot Scale The Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Centre for Polymer Synthesis and Processing (PAZ) in Schkopau, Germany, is a joint initiative of the Fraunhofer Institutes for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) and Mechanics of Materials (IWM) in Halle. Working together with companies from all over the world tailor-made complete solutions in pilot scale are developed from monomers by way of synthesis and polymers are used to produce finished and tested components. In the processing area the development of materials and processes such as compounding and extrusion using, for example, natural fibres such as wood, flax, sisal or hemp for filling and reinforcement functions are carried out on different industrial scale twin screw extruders. Custom-designed, highly filled, natural fibre compounds and components produced from them can be made - for example to increase material strength, stiffness and impact strength. Samples of such compounds in pellet form can be produced for test purposes in quantities up to a tonne or more. Optimising of the mechanical properties of wood/plastic composites (WPC) for injection moulding is a core competence of the Pilot Plant Centre. Typically WPC materials have a high strength and stiffness but they are also very brittle in regard to impact stress. For instance it has been possible, by the addition of further innovative fibres in small amounts, to increase the impact strength of materials with a wood fraction of 40% by more than 130%, compared to a ‘standard WPC’ at room temperature. At a temperature of -25°C the improvement was even more than 160%. Model system of a polymer based photovoltaic module For injection moulding processes an injection moulding machine is available with a clamping force of 200 tonnes, or alternatively two innovative injection moulding compounders (compounding and injection moulding in one process step) with clamping forces of 1300 and 3200 tonnes. Components with shot weights of 50 up to 9000 grams can be produced. In addition, to optimise the processing conditions and mechanical properties of natural fibre composites, a further field of research covers biopolymers such as PLA. A focus on polyurethane processing (clear coat moulding technology and the manufacture of highly transparent, thin surfaces) is new at the Pilot Plant Centre. The aliphatic materials being investigated offer a wide spectrum of adjustable mechanical properties and represent a special field in the processing of polyurethanes. Particularly in regard to photovoltaic applications the use of bio-based polyurethane is also being investigated. These materials, consisting of a polyol derived from renewable vegetable oils, can help to reduce the amount of fossil fuel based polyurethane products and improve the environmental profile of these materials over the whole life cycle. The current investigations address the processing parameters as well as the resulting properties, e.g. the heat and weather stability. The Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Centre is available to support the industry, e.g. by producing sample lots and pre-series in pilot scale up to the point of introduction onto the market, as well as for mould and material testing, for example complex testing of material and component properties. 20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [05/10] Vol. 5
Materials Extract from Cashew Nut Shell for Electronic Equipment The Japanese NEC corporation, with more than 100 years expertise in technological innovation, is newly emphasizing its responsibility and position as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people all over the world. Anzeige_105x148_BIB:2011-hoch 21.07.2010 12:41 Uhr Seite 1 During the 2013 fiscal year NEC is aiming to realize mass production of a completely new and significantly different bioplastic, suitable for a wide range of electronic www.bio-based.de equipment. The new component is primarily based on cellulose to be combined with cardanol - and both of the feedstocks are derived from agricultural scrap. Thus NEC will proudly and effectively side-step the discussion regarding whether to use plant material as animal feed, human foodstuffs or fuel, by using plant stems and cashew nut shells as basic resources whilst avoiding CNSL (cashew nut shell liquid) which is otherwise a dangerous pollutant. The new composite will have a plant composition ratio of more than 70% as well as outstanding physical properties such as durability in strength and malleability twice that of conventional PLA and comparable to CA. The heat resistance is more than twice as high as PLA (1.3 times higher than CA) and water resistance is absolutely on a par with PLA and 3 times more than CA. The moulding time of this revolutionary new and noncrystalline bioplastic can be compared to conventional cellulose or petroleum-based plastics and is less than 50% of PLA. CJ www.nec.com iBIB 2011 International Business Directory for Innovative Bio-based Plastics and Composites In spring 2011, iBIB 2011 , the first ever international directory of major suppliers of bio-based plastics and composites, will be published as a means of opening up a range of new customers to companies in the bio-materials sector. The aim of iBIB 2011 is to put industrial suppliers and customers in contact with each other. Two major characteristics of new markets such as bio-based plastics and composites are ‘insider knowledge’ and a lack of transparency, which prevent the sector from developing as quickly as it might. The iBIB 2011 will help firms to find the best biobased solutions available worldwide. iBIB 2011 : 250 pages • 100 companies, associations, R&D • 20 countries Book your page(s) now at: www.bio-based.de Contact: Dominik Vogt, Phone: +49 (0)2233 4814– 49 dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de Publisher nova-Institut GmbH | Chemiepark Knapsack bioplastics | Industriestrasse MAGAZINE 300 [05/10] | D-50354 Vol. Huerth 5 21
