The Institute of Materials is a great centre of knowledge and networking on the industrial application of materials. A major amount of their research is focused on mineral fibres (coal, steel, concrete, etc). However, they have started to offer a more balanced approach to all fibres, and so they did a Natural Composites showcase at their offices near Charing Cross.
Although a bit late, I was able to catch the last few minutes of the first seminar on carrot fibre, that was pioneered by CelluComp from Scotland. The carrot fibre has been blended with carbon fibre as a composite for fishing rods, some of which can cost up to £1,000. I posed the question as to whether they feel that they would be able to make the fishing rod and other products that follow it, 100% from natural fibres, and so combined with hemp instead. They kept their minds by stating that carbon fibre is the material that prouces the bind with the carrot fibre.
It was good fortune, in some ways, that the next speaker, Brett from ADAS, an environmental consultancy, was to give a full and concise seminar on natural fibres. I have posted the slides which are very brief and concise, and will help you understand very quickly almost everything about natural fibres. I will say though, that I was very impressed by Brett’s seminar which even developed on the carrot fibre, by saying that hemp and flax are much more superior in their quality and sustainability.
The last seminar focused on fibres from insects, an absurd idea that involved killing live insects for the fibres from their body. I questioned how sustainable this is for the environment and biodiversity? Even though the two speakers before him had spoken about the tested benefits of plant fibres, he was quite adamant that insect fibres was the way. This method is a very perculiar and deluded way of getting industrial fibres, and one which would involve the genocide of mass insects for a car part or textile. Buy clothing made from insect fibres, or cuticles as the professor has termed them, and you will get ants in your pants.
In summary, I was happy to have learnt about the carrot fibre, and the new research and work done on hemp and flax fibre.
Filed under: Events, Textiles | Tagged: adas, carrot fibre, cellucomp, flax, hemp
