Fibre naturali al posto della plastica

[Omphalos]

Volvo continua con il suo impegno nella direzione del minimo impatto ambientale; dal'articolo seguente si legge che l'azienda svedese sta sperimentando delle fibre naturali da impiegare nell'abitacolo delle vetture al posto dei polimeri plastici.

I vantaggi sono importanti: da un minor uso di derivati del petrolio alla completa biodegradabilità, alla possibilità di produrre la materia prima vicino agli impianti di assemblaggio, fino alla possibilità di contenere il peso dei veicoli, con conseguente diminuzione del consumo di combustibile e inquinamento. Infine, sembra che le fibre naturali che si stanno sperimentando siano in grado di aumentare la sicurezza delle vetture grazie alla loro elevata capacità di assorbire l'energia di un urto

Vedremo il risultato di questi studi nel 2020

Friday, October 14, 2005

Volvo is developing manufacturing techniques to realize a future where much of a vehicle's interior is borrowed from nature.

Its engineers are experimenting with fabrics, floor mats and other materials based on renewable and sustainable sources, such as hemp, jute, rapeseed and soya.

"We are taking key steps today towards Volvo cars with 'hard' components such as dashboards and ceilings made of flax and cellulose rather than petroleum-based polymers, and enjoying comfortable seats using natural fibre and soya-based foam fillings," explained Katarina Sundqvist of the Swedish manufacturer's research and development department.

"Using bio-based products would reduce the need to transport materials, since many agricultural parts are made locally. Bio-based products are also easy to manufacture, help reduce agricultural waste and improve a vehicle's biodegradability and recyclability."

After two years of development, Volvo Cars has started a pilot production of a cargo floor tray that replaces the traditional polyester with 100-per-cent biodegradable flax. Easy to break down and compost, the cellulose tray also gives better noise-reduction qualities.

The natural materials used in the tray can also be used to make hard panels, such as centre consoles, or pillar panels in vehicles.

Volvo also envisages using naturally grown fibres to replace glass fibre in plastics and resins.

"Not only are natural fibres such as sisal, hemp, jute and flax a renewable, sustainable resource, but bio-fibres also reduce both the weight of a car and the cost of materials," said Anders Hogstrom of Volvo's interior and climate-engineering strategy department.

"Replacing glass fibre with lower-density natural fibre can slash the weight of some of the materials used in a car by up to 30 per cent, contributing to lower fuel consumption and less pollution."

The bio-based materials give improved safety because natural fibres absorb energy extremely efficiently in the event of side collisions and do not crack or splinter.

Volvo hopes to have introduced many of the new, natural-source manufactured parts by 2020.

A me me piasce parecchio sta azienda

[Omphalos]

Questa qui dovrebbe essere una vettura sperimentale costruita per la gran parte con materiali riciclati e/o naturali...

Devono trovare il modo per usare vernici riciclate

[Regazzoni]

Questa quà è la ECC, concept nientemeno che del 1992.

E già allora lavoravano su materiali riciclabili per gli interni

Volvo ECC – the car that gave the world a preview of Volvo’s future already back in 1992

Study of a safe, environmentally optimised and comfortable family car in the 21st century

Inspiration behind the design of the Volvo S80 Lightweight materials with low environmental impact and high recycling rating

The Volvo ECC (Environmental Concept Car) was unveiled in 1992 as a study of what a safe, environmentally optimised and comfortable family might look like in the year 2000.

The ECC attracted immense attention the world over and was a major source of inspiration for the design of the Volvo S80, which was introduced in 1998.

The Volvo ECC, which was developed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Centre (VMCC) in California, had a number of features that demonstrated that spacious family cars also have a place in tomorrow’s transport-oriented society.

The Volvo ECC had features such as:

• A hybrid power system featuring a series-connected gas turbine and electric motor.

• Materials selected on the basis of their low environmental impact during production, along with a high degree of recyclability.

• The efficient powertrain and aluminium body contributed to the low gross weight of 1,580 kg.

• An ergonomically designed interior.

• Exceptional interior space for four adults along with immense collision safety.

• Dynaguide, a system that gave the driver up-to-date traffic information via a display in the instrument panel.

[Guest frallog]

Veramente ma veramente un'ottima cosa.

Io metterei un link alla notizia anche in tecnica e assistenza e in Scienza &tecnologia.

Regards,

Francesco 8)))

[Omphalos]

Questa quà è la ECC, concept nientemeno che del 1992.

Hai ragione, mi sono lasciato trarre in inganno

Però sono forti veramente, mi piace questa ricerca

[Omphalos]

Veramente ma veramente un'ottima cosa.

Io metterei un link alla notizia anche in tecnica e assistenza e in Scienza &tecnologia.

Regards,

Francesco 8)))

L'ho messa qui perché a me le Volvo piacciono, non tanto come design ma come filosofia di base, e mi piangeva il cuore vedere questa sezione poco frequentata

[Autox4]

Certo che se usassero come fibre la canabis, sai che successone.

[Omphalos]

.... così quando uno è fermo nel traffico si prende un pezzo di plancia e se la fuma? Ci sarebbe meno nervosismo sulle strade....

COmunque la canapa è una pianta che veramente è stata studiata anche per le sue caratteristiche di resistenza...