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New carbon fibre R&D facility set up in Australia

09 Aug '12

2 min read

The newly established Carbon Nexus, a leading edge research facility solely focusing on research and development (R&D) on carbon fibre and its composites, is greatly driving the carbon fibre composites business in Australia.

The Au$ 34 million research facility forms a part of the Waurn Ponds' Deakin University-based Au$ 103 million Australian Future Fibres Research Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) in Victoria.

Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (Knoxfield VIC), which is collaborating with Deakin University in Carbon Nexus, says the new facility slated to go operational in phases from later this year would be an “open access” R&D facility with a single tow line and a carbon line with 20 tons per year capacity, facilitating top-notch innovation in carbon fibre and composite solutions.

The key research areas for the new facility include toughening of composites with electro-spun nanofibers, functionally graded composites, class A surface finishes for composites, melding (joining) of composite structures and recycling of carbon fibres. The facility is also intended to focus on low energy conversion of PAN to carbon fibre and alternative precursors.

The single tow line of the facility would go operational in last quarter of the current year, while the building would become available in first quarter of 2013. Likewise, the 20 tons per year carbon fibre pilot line would be laid down in second quarter of 2013 and would go operational in last quarter of the same year.

There are different packages that Carbon Nexus offers to the companies to access the facility, like a € 100,000 Tier I annual package targeting large-scale enterprises and a € 50,000 commitment aimed at medium-sized firms. Also, the associate members contributing equipment and services would be able to access the facility in lieu of cash. Small firms would be allowed to obtain affiliate status by paying € 5,000.

Technical Textiles News Desk - India