JEC World will take place in Paris from 10 to 12 March 2026. The Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be presenting composites for aviation made from recycled carbon fibres and natural fibres, as well as printed lightweight elements for surface heating in electric vehicles. Visit us at the joint stand of Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. and talk to our team of lightweight construction and recycling experts. STFI Hall 5, Stand D97.
Aviation – natural fibres and recycled carbon fibres as the basis for semi-finished textile products
In the aviation sector, the high fire safety requirements pose an obstacle to the use of natural fibre composites (NFC). The LUFTIFLEX research project is currently working on developing flexible NFCs for aviation applications. Flexibility is achieved using knitted structures in textile technology. It has been shown that the compatibility of natural fibres and matrix is of great importance from a fire protection perspective. Only precise coordination of the systems with each other can deliver composite structures that comply with the project specifications.
The HIOS project laid the foundation for the continuous production of component-specific organic sheets for secondary structures and cabin parts in aviation. Hybrid nonwovens made from recycled carbon fibres (rCF) and aviation-certified PPS staple fibres for secondary components form the basis for these organic sheets. In the demonstrator, local reinforcement with directional fibres, various functionalizations using AFP and TFP techniques, as well as thickness jumps and local fibre volume content adjustments were incorporated into a consolidation process. The component demonstration using a two-stage thermoforming and joining process was carried out on a spoiler flap box structure with integrated Z-spar. The exhibit will be on display at JEC.
Demonstrator of a spoiler with integrated Z-spar, manufactured in a two-stage thermoforming and joining process (Image: STFI )
E-mobility – Printed heating system for e-mobility increases vehicle range
As part of the INSIDE project, a new technological approach to seat and interior heating for electric vehicles was considered, which enables direct heating of the interior using printed heating elements. Printed surface and dot heating conductors, which can be individually controlled and selectively regulated, offer potential for energy savings and increased efficiency. These heating conductor structures are applied to textile substrates and lightweight components using inkjet and laser technology.
Hemp as a renewable raw material
In the field of natural fibre processing, STFI is conducting research as part of the “HOTHEMP” project to improve the mechanical properties of hemp bast laminates through chemical-thermal reduction of the biological matrix content. The lignin content in hemp bast is reduced in order to optimally exploit the performance potential of the hemp fibres from the bast. The fibres, which are up to 3 metres long, are further processed at the institute using warp knitting machines to produce warp knits. This allows mechanical characteristics in the range of conventional GRP laminates to be achieved.
Visit us at the joint stand of Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. and talk to our team of lightweight engineering and recycling experts. STFI Hall 5, Stand D97. Learn more about Chemnitz’s lightweight engineering expertise: CETEX | LSE – Lightweight Structures Engineering GmbH | Schmietex Engineering GmbH | silbaerg GmbH | Chemnitz University of Technology / Professorships in Lightweight Structures and Plastics Processing and Textile Technologies.
Contact:
Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e. V. (STFI)
Annaberger Str. 240
09125 Chemnitz
Kareen Pfab | Public Relations
+49 371 5274-197
kareen.pfab@stfi.de
www.stfi.de
