– Improve the thermoplastic formulation.
– Improve the performance of the material and its processing.
– Demonstrate the production of a primary structure exceeding four metres in length.
By drawing closer to the benefits of thermoplastic matrix composites in the aeronautical sector, the thermoplastic foil project has set the ambitions of the consortium. Although connected to vastly different fields, composite aerofoils and hydrofoils share remarkably similar structural characteristics, yet face very different material-product-process challenges. The aeronautical industry, strongly driven by the quality of its final products — which account for 40% of the cost of the finished part — contrasts with competitive sailing, which is pushed by extremely tight deadlines, while the challenges of materials mechanics and their processing sit at the heart of debates sometimes made contentious by environmental concerns. CSR policies are pressing aerospace to become ever more agile, and the sailing industry to redouble its manufacturing innovation while maintaining performance.
Initial proof-of-concept thermoplastic composite foils for the Mini 6.50 were delivered by the MiniLab project and validated the underlying principles and mechanical behaviour in a marine environment. The FOIL INFINITY project now brings together a series of innovation challenges centred on an IMOCA and ULTIME foil — the target market for the industrial partners. This challenge involves improving the thermoplastic formulation, enhancing the performance of the material and its processing, and demonstrating the production of a primary structure exceeding four metres in length.
A project: AVEL ROBOTICS × COMPOSITEC × MER CONCEPT