Bachelor’s thesis or Master’s thesis
Long-fibre-reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) have become established for the production of fibre-reinforced lightweight components due to their cost-effective manufacturing in compression moulding processes. In the compression moulding of LFT, a plastified LFT semi-finished product is pressed in a die tool under the influence of heat. The goal of this work is a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the processing and part behaviour of LFT components using recyclates.
© IKVThe work is related to the “LFT Recycling” research project
The work is being carried out in the Recycling of Fiber Reinforced Plastics working group. As part of the “LFT recycling” project, we are pursuing the goal of significantly increasing recyclate usage rates through homogeneous and fiber-friendly processing of recyclates for LFT in the pressing process.
Objective:
The aim of the work is a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the processing and component behavior of LFT components using recycled materials. Based on the analysis, a process window is to be defined in which the most fiber-friendly processing of the recyclates can be achieved.
| For a Bachelor's thesis you will work on the following tasks: | For a Master's thesis you will work on the following tasks: |
| Familiarization with the state of the art for the evaluation of current challenges in the processing of LFT recyclates | Familiarisation with the state of the art for the evaluation of current challenges in the processing of LFT recyclates |
| Production of LFT components with recyclate content in the pressing process and investigation of the resulting fiber length distributions as a function of the selected process parameters | Production of LFT components with recyclate content in the pressing process and investigation of the resulting fiber length distributions as a function of the selected process parameters |
| Determination of the resulting mechanical characteristics of the LFT components | selection and testing of suitable additives to improve the material quality in the preparation of recycled materials |
| Determination of a suitable process window for the most fiber-friendly processing of the recyclate | investigation of the influence of the recycling steps on the thermoplastic matrix |
| Determination of the resulting mechanical characteristic values of the LFT components | |
| Determining a suitable process window for processing the recyclates with as little fiber damage as possible |
Your profile:
- Technical or scientific degree (mechanical engineering, simulation sciences, industrial engineering specializing in materials and process engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, applied chemistry or polymer science,…)
- Communicative and a team player
- Motivation and commitment
- Interest in increasing the sustainability of plastics
- Enjoy practical work in the technical center
If you are interested in the circular economy and practical work, please apply.