Basalt fibre reinfored HDPE for wave energy converters
Lead Participant:
ASSET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Abstract
This project addresses the renewable energy theme, with the objective of establishing the technical feasibility
of basalt fibre reinforced High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as a material for the primary structure of an ocean
wave energy converter (WEC). HDPE offers a low cost structural material that is resistant to UV, corrosion and
biofouling increasing the lifetime and reducing the maintenance requirements for a wave energy converter.
While fibre reinforced HDPE has been previously investigated, the use of basalt fibres is innovative and offers
superior properties compared to a standard E-glass which is commonly used in fibre composite manufacture.
Basalt fibre is also chemically inert and when combined with recycled HDPE potentially offers a high
performance, low cost, green structural material for WEC's. The project will develop a suitable composition for
the material that provides improved mechanical properties over unreinforced HDPE while retaining exiting
advantages of the material when used in the ocean environment.
of basalt fibre reinforced High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as a material for the primary structure of an ocean
wave energy converter (WEC). HDPE offers a low cost structural material that is resistant to UV, corrosion and
biofouling increasing the lifetime and reducing the maintenance requirements for a wave energy converter.
While fibre reinforced HDPE has been previously investigated, the use of basalt fibres is innovative and offers
superior properties compared to a standard E-glass which is commonly used in fibre composite manufacture.
Basalt fibre is also chemically inert and when combined with recycled HDPE potentially offers a high
performance, low cost, green structural material for WEC's. The project will develop a suitable composition for
the material that provides improved mechanical properties over unreinforced HDPE while retaining exiting
advantages of the material when used in the ocean environment.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
ASSET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | £92,306 | £ 55,300 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
SEA ENERGIES OFFSHORE MARINE LIMITED | £24,276 | £ 16,993 |
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON | £101,360 | £ 101,360 |
THE INSTITUTE OF CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
People |
ORCID iD |
Neil Bryan (Project Manager) |