The ever increasing effects of climate change and (as a result) the imposition of environmental regulations to reduce CO2 emissions, encourage researchers in various disciplines (e.g. civil, aerospace, automotive, and marine engineering) to utilize more environmentally friendly materials in their structures. This entails materials which are either more light-weight, reusable, recyclable, renewable or durable and thus more sustainable. Some examples of such (partially) bio-based materials include bio-based adhesives for bonding, natural fibre polymer composites, bio-based resins, and wood. Applications for these materials include bridges, interiors of aircraft, automotive panels, wind turbines, and wooden highrise buildings.
The current scientific knowledge on long-term performance and service life of bio-based composites when subjected to different service conditions and environments is limited. Hence, this research aims at making a contribution to the understanding of different ageing mechanisms (physical/chemical/mechanical) in bio-based composites at the different levels of material hierarchy (micro, meso, and macro), when undergoing an accelerated ageing procedure.
In particular, this PhD research focuses on understanding the hygrothermal fatigue behaviour of bio-based composite materials e.g. flax fibre reinforced polymers, based on which mitigation measures can be proposed and evaluated. The study will include effects of hygrothermal fatigue on material microstructure, benchmarking against better known existing materials (like glass-fibre composites) and the realistic definition of accelerated lab test conditions to allow predictions of service life. For this, hygrothermal cycling has to be matched with fatigue cycling in a realistic manner in the lab. Behaviour will be contrasted with fatigue and hygrothermal ageing when decoupled. Existing models for the fatigue behaviour of composite materials will be adapted to include the effects of hygrothermal cycling.
This PhD position will be within the research group of ‘’Bio-based structures and materials’’ of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of TU Delft and the PhD research will be performed in close collaboration with the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of TU Delft. The experiments will be carried out in the laboratories of both faculties.
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