Composites Group (Fibre-reinforced Polymers)

The Composites Group at The University of Edinburgh was founded in 2015, and has 7 academic and ca. 30 research staff & students (May 2021). Its focus is primarily on fibre reinforced polymer composite materials. Fibres studied include carbon, glass, basalt and natural fibres. Resins studied include both thermosets (e.g. epoxies, vinyl/poly esters) and thermoplastics (e.g. PEEK, PEK, Nylon-6).

The composites group at edinburgh - a collage of photos showing 6 academic portraits and a group photo from 2015
Composites Group at Edinburgh

Main Research Interests

  • Powder epoxy resins for thick section composite processing (e.g. wind blade root sections, shipping hulls).
  • Reaction Injection Moulding of PA6 (Nylon) Glass/Carbon Reinforced Composites.
  • Automated Carbon Tape Production Line producing powder-epoxy impregnated towpreg for Automated Tape Placement
  • Fibre-Metal Laminates for improved ductility and toughness.
  • Design and Testing of Large Composite Structures (e.g. Powderblade and Fastblade projects).
  • Biomimetic Composites.
  • Numerical Stress Modelling (Abaqus & Python)

Composites Materials Manufacturing and Testing Laboratories

The group has a total laboratory space of 210 square metres, with separate Composites Processing and Composites Testing facilities.

Composites Processing Equipment:

•  Heated vacuum tooling and accessories•  Fume hoods and tool preparation areas•  Thermoplastic composites press system•  Reaction moulding system, mixing and dosing system for liquid thermosets and thermoplastics•  Trimming and specimen extraction facilities

Composites Testing Equipment:

•  250kN Zwick static test machine with hydraulic grips•  100kN and 250kN servo-hydraulic test machines•  Humidity conditioning chamber•  Fluid immersion baths for specimen conditioning•  End-tab bonding press•  Extensometers•  Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA)•  Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)•  Optical microscopes and specimen preparation facilities•  Scanning Electron Microscopy

Academic Staff: 

This article was published on