With the increased efforts on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing industries, there is a drive to use renewable and recyclable materials for composites manufacturing, especially in the automotive, aerospace and renewable energy industries. 

This course will cover how sustainable polymer and natural fibres based textiles can be used to make strong renewable composites for the automotive and building construction industries. We will also cover recycling of carbon/glass fibre composites for sustainable composites and life cycle analysis of conventional glass/carbon fibre composites. 

Cranfield University Composites Centre (Enhanced Composites and Structures Centre) has more than 20 years of experience of research, development and teaching across composites materials, composites manufacture, process control and material/structure performance. The centre currently delivers to an international audience of postgraduate students and industrial clients (Airbus, AkzoNobel, Bentley, Bombardier, Hexcel, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Safran, Scott Bader, RedBull, Petronas, etc). The centre has unique materials processing, compounding, filament making, nanomaterials production and composites characterisation facilities. We are able to deliver bespoke training courses covering a broad range of composites related topics, via online or in-person attendance.

 

 



At a glance

What you will learn

You will acquire a fundamental understanding of renewable polymer resins, strong natural fibres and regenerated fibres. You will also learn about recycling methods for glass/carbon fibre composites and life cycle analysis.

Core content

  • Rationale for use of sustainable composites – the environmental impact of use on non-renewable composites.
  • Fibres and resins: origins and mechanical properties.
  • Manufacturing challenges: surface modification of natural fibres; design guidelines and case studies; general manufacturing processes for sustainable fibre reinforced composites.
  • Composite manufacture: using strong regenerated/reconstituted cellulose/biomass; sandwich panels production from bio-composites for industrial use.
  • Overview and understanding of flammability of bio/sustainable composites.
  • Natural materials based flame retardants
  • Replacement of synthetic/halogenated  flame retardant with natural flame retardants (Bolton Fire Research Group contribution)
 

Who should attend

The course is suitable for applicants registered for a degree in engineering and materials science (or equivalent), as well as the industrial sector and academic research community involved in composites manufacturing

Concessions

20% discount for Cranfield Alumni. 
10% discount when registering 3 or more delegates, from the same organisation at the same time.  

Accommodation fees are not included in the discount scheme. Please ask about our discount scheme at time of booking.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details


Location address

Cranfield University
College Road 
Cranfield 
Bedford 
MK43 0AL


How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.