DACOMAT project to develop new composite materials for wind turbines and large structures 

Collaborative project between industry and academia launched in 2018 

The ACG is pleased to be a partner of the DACOMAT project which began in 2018. The objective of DACOMAT is to develop more damage tolerant and damage predictable low cost composite materials, in particular aimed for use in large load carrying structures such as wind turbine blades, bridges and buildings. In tandem with the new materials, structural health monitoring solutions will be developed; this will lead to composites with high tolerance for manufacturing imperfections and greatly increased capacity to sustain damage. The ultimate aim of these technological developments is to enable large composites structures to be manufactured and maintained at low cost. Guidelines for materials qualification and LCA & LCCA methodology for large composite constructions are also stated goals of DACOMAT.

ACG will carry out work in support of the development of new resins and glass fibre sizings, to identify materials whose properties are best suited to the requirements of DACOMAT composites. Work will also include design and implementation of a new micro-mechanical test to measure mode I fracture toughness.

The project is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under GA No. 761072. Additional information can be found on the DACOMAT website.