Jute-Top
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Juteborg AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 125 000 |
| Project duration | January 2018 - February 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The manufacturing of sandwich structures has gone well. The results indicate that there is potential for using jute reinforced laminates instead of glass fiber reinforced in sandwich structures even though there may be a marginal decrease of certain mechanical properties.
Expected results and effects
The purpose of the Jute-Top study was to show that the jute fiber has the potential to replace glass fiber in some components in the automotive industry and thus has the potential to reduce component weight by 15-40%. The pre-study analysis results show that jute might have the potential to replace glass fiber in one of Clean Motions components. Our internal analysis also shows that the jute fiber generally contributes in principle to all 17 UN sustainability goals.
Planned approach and implementation
The sandwich laminates were made with two layers on each side with jute fabric (0/90). The fabrics were compared with fiber glass fabrics (0/90). A core with a polyurethane foam with three different densities was tested. Sandwich with jute reinforced laminate was vacuum-injected with polyester. 4-point bending samples were made on jute materials and a reference material according to standard ASTM C393. Two samples from each laminate were tested. The results indicate that there is potential for using jute reinforced laminate instead of glass fiber in sandwich structures.