Short notice given only substantially as follows: A team of researchers at Baylor University, USA, who have identified a variety of low-cost products that can be manufactured from coconuts in poor coastal regions have now developed a way to use coconut husks in automotive interiors. The researchers are developing a technology to use coconut fibre as a replacement for synthetic polyester fibres in compression moulded composites. Specifically, their goal is to use the coconut fibres to make trunk liners, floorboards and interior door covers on cars. Since coconuts are an abundant, renewable resource in all countries near the equator, Baylor's team is working to create multiple products that could be manufactured from coconuts in those regions using simple and inexpensive technology. With an estimated 11million coconut farmers in the world making an average annual income of USD 500, the Baylor researchers hope to triple the coconut farmer's annual income by increasing the market price for each coconut to 30 cents, which could have a substantial effect on the farmer's quality of life. 'What we hope to do is create a viable market for the poor coconut farmer,' said Dr. Walter Bradley, Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Baylor, who is leading the project. 'Our goal is to create millions of pounds of demand at a much better price.' The Baylor researchers said the mechanical properties of coconut fibres are just as good, if not better, than synthetic and polyester fibres when using them in automotive parts. Bradley said the coconut fibres are less expensive than other fibres and better for the environment because the coconut husks would have otherwise been thrown away. Coconuts also do not burn very well or give off toxic fumes, which is crucial in passing tests required for actual application in commercial automotive parts. Bradley said they were working closely with Hobbs Bonded Fibers, a Waco-based fibre processing company that is a supplier of nonwoven fibre mats to four major automotive companies. The Baylor researchers are now putting the automotive parts that use coconut fibre through a series of certification tests to see if the fibre meets the necessary safety performance specifications.


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    Title :

    Car parts from coconuts


    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2009


    Size :

    1 Seite



    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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