One of NATEX Project objectives is to bring a series of specific innovations. The main innovations are:
· New and innovative enzymatic treatments to tailoring fibres specifically for structural applications and improve fineness and fibre aspect ratio · Improvement of the dimensional stability of the fibres by reducing adsorption/desorption of water from the fibres · Improvement of the wetting and impregnation of the modified fibre by polymer · Reduction of fibre resin absorption from total injected resin · New spinning process to increase the mechanical properties of the fibres · Specific treatment of the yarn during warping process to obtain an optimum performance in weaving · Optimization of the structure of 3D high-tech textiles containing natural fibres or in combination with thermoplastic fibres · Development of Bio-derived thermoset resin (furan) · Thermoplastic and thermoset resins with controlled viscosity to enhance the mechanical properties respect to actual composites produced by natural fibres · Vacuum consolidation, compression moulding and continuous compression moulding adaptation to novel fibres with tailored functionalities for special structural applications · Vacuum bagging, Infusion and Resin Transfer Moulding Adaptation to novel fibres with tailored functionalities for special structural applications · Joining Technologies · Definition of the basic rules for parts design using the new composites employing CAD/CAE tools technologies. Also, demonstrate that a global safety factor1 for design part with the new materials is similar to traditional one (2-3) · Replacement of the 25% of the fibreglass reinforced plastics by natural woven reinforced composites · Standardization and quality of hemp and flax textiles by developing protocols of production and treatment of the fibres · Development of at least one recycling or compostability route for thermoplastics and bio-based thermoset natural fibre aligned composites · Development of low weight biocomposites