CNR-ISTEC develops geopolymer composites for thermostructural applications, such as: self-supporting cavities; thermal and acoustic insulation; thermal and fire barriers; high temperature coatings and damping; molds and cores for foundry; foams and refractory linings. Geopolymers are chemically bonded materials at T <300 ° C. Being inorganic polymers without water in the structure, they tolerate high temperatures: they are incombustible, do not emit gas or fumes and do not explode. The three classes of thermostructural geopolymer composites currently developed are the following: composites with dispersion of particles (refractory fillers, light aggregates) and / or short fibers (synthetic or natural, etc.), including waste; porous composites to increase lightness and insulating power; composite materials that involve the impregnation of long fibers and fabrics or the drowning of an internal reinforcement similar to composite materials with organic resins.
This technology allows the near-net-shape production of materials with ceramic properties in the same way as some plastics. CNR-ISTEC formulates ad hoc functionalized inorganic resins that adapt to hand lay-up and vacuum bagging or vacuum infiltration processes used for fiber-reinforced organic polymers. The proposed technology is mature and the criticalities encountered for a possible transfer to the market can be overcome thanks to the coupling with commercial materials (multimaterials) and already existing technologies. The processability and high temperature resistance (600-800 ° C) guarantee a strategic application, for example in the transport sector, where the solutions marketed to date are particularly expensive, not in line with the development objectives inherent to decarbonisation (EU objectives to 2030) and with application limits to production niches.
Italy