The M-RECT project aims to create multiscale-reinforced semi-crystalline thermoplastics (PEEK and PPS), which will outperform all reinforced polymers in terms of strength, stiffness, creep and mainly damping by upscaling and further developing state of the art production methods, within cost-efficient manufacturing routes. The envisaged multiscale reinforcement will comprise of dispersed straightened and aligned to polymer molecules multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and also fully impregnated, long carbon fibres (CF).

The objectives aim to develop physical (i.e. microwave heating, rollingstretching-annealing) and chemical (i.e. PEEK-specific CNT functionalisation) processing methods leading to the development of a production line for a tailored PEEK-CNT engineering nanocomposite, which will be readily upscalable to industrial level (i.e. buildings, aeronautics, automotive, space).

The project seeks, primarily, to develop a generic technology for production, modelling and design of high-performance, light-weight reinforced thermoplastics. The envisaged multiscale reinforcement will comprise of disentangled, dispersed, straightened and aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and also fully impregnated long carbon fibres (CFs).

Depending on the extent of reinforcement and manufacturing process, four products will emerge with PEEK or PPS matrix:

•  Sheets reinforced with CNTs.
• Sheets reinforced with CNTs and long fibres (multiscale reinforcement)
• Honeycomb cores - panels (multiscale reinforcement).
• Laminated complex-shape parts (multiscale reinforcement).

work plan of the project

R-Tech at a glance

Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies Group (R-Tech) is the cluster of units belonging to and/or linked to Steinbeis (www.steinbeis.de). Over 700 Steinbeis units present in 50+ countries worldwide act today as a global player in the area of innovation management and technology transfer. The group of Steinbeis units working in the area of “Advanced Risk Technologies” deals with multiple aspects of risks, risk engineering and risk management appearing, for instance, in:

• Petro-chemical and process plants
• Power plants and energy supply
• Material technologies, especially advanced material technologies
• New & alternative technologies (CO2, H2, nano, …).

In order to provide the optimal service and results, the R-Tech group has dedicated units for specific area of “advanced risk technologies” such as technology transfer, education, R&D, industrial services (“business-oriented”), and other EU-related issues.

The main competence of the center is in the area of assessment, analysis and management of business and technical risks. The center has large experience in co-ordination of European and national stakeholders, promotion of the transfer of technology, introduction of new approach to the risk management. Participation in many EU and international collaborative and purely industrial projects, in both as participant and as coordinator/project manager.

For more information see http://www.risk-technologies.com

R-Tech in M-RECT

The main task of R-Tech in M-RECT project is related to a sensitivity and risk analysis within work package 4. R-Tech will develop web based tools for the assessment of the risks of non-performance failure specifically in work package 4 but which can be applied to the whole project. In addition they will carry out a sensitivity analysis to determine what, if any, perturbations may influence the success of the work package and the project as a whole.

Risk assessment provides an understanding of risks, their causes, consequences and probabilities. Different aspects of risks are assessed by qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative methods in order to understand and rank different risks for further analysis and treatment decisions. Furthermore, R-Tech provides dynamic risk treatment techniques by relevant options for reducing the probability of occurrence, or mitigating the effect of risks.