bioCOMP4acoustics
The main objective of bioCOMP4acoustics is the simulation-supported development of new bio-based and recyclable fiber composites that meet the aviation-specific requirements for wall/ceiling panels in the cabin of passenger aircraft with significantly improved acoustic damping.
Project Partners
- JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Coordinator
- Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH
- Graz University of Technology, Institute of Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical Engineering
- F/LIST GmbH
- HILITECH GmbH
Motivation
The use of fibre-reinforced composite materials in aircraft cabins enables lighter constructions (‘weight saving’) but also leads to constructions that vibrate more strongly and therefore also transmit sound better. To reduce the noise level in the cabin of passenger aircraft, so-called thermo-acoustic insulation (panelling and insulating materials) is currently used in the cabin walls, which serves not only to reduce noise but also as insulation against the outside temperature. Innovative biomimetic concepts, i.e. sandwich structures with a (visco)-elasticity gradient across the fibre cross-section and across the wall thickness, based on largely bio-based and recyclable materials, are of interest for even better insulation with a high potential for noise reduction in the future. However, considering essential requirements - at least the same component weight and the fulfilment of aviation-relevant requirements - such materials are still lacking.
Main Goals
bioCOMP4acoustics closes this gap with the additional avoidance of toxic state-of-the-art fire protection agents through
- the development of vitrimer-based resin formulations for the production of pre-impregnated fiber composites and chemical recycling of the fiber-reinforced composite (PCCL)
- the development of hybrid natural & carbon fibre reinforcement with a thin hydrophilic, highly viscoelastic and adhesive fibre coating (JOANNEUM RESEARCH)
- extensive mechanical material testing for data generation (JOANNEUM RESEARCH, PCCL) for simultaneous vibroacoustic and mechanical simulation of ultra-lightweight sandwich composites with high acoustic damping (TU Graz).
Objectives and Approach
The development of a demonstrator that fulfils the specifications (e.g. fire protection, weight) for the aircraft cabin is intended to make the technological leap in functionality and acoustics ‘tangible’ on the one hand, but also to enable the development of ‘technological confidence’ in sustainable materials on the other.
„The project bioCOMP4acoustics makes a significant contribution to the increasing demand for mainly bio-based, recyclable composites for their applications in a noise-reduced aircraft cabin.”
Funding Body
The project (project number: FO999913972) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) as part of the “Take off 2023” call. The program is managed by the FFG.
