[en] The main activities described in this article are carried out during the experimental phase of the research on composite materials manufacturing using textile inserts with natural origins fibres, oriented towards the manufacturing of composite materials samples. The objective of the research is to develop new fully or partially biodegradable composite materials by using new natural fibres and those recovered from various textile wastes. Thus, the research aims to obtain some composites with matrix of various types of polymeric materials and the reinforcement phase of textile materials so that the resulting products to be biodegradable. The textile inserts used as reinforcement are ecological, non–toxic and biodegradable and they contain bast fibres (flax, hemp, jute, divided or in combination), which can replace fibres of glass commonly used in polymeric composites. The purpose of the research is to obtain composite materials with high–structural, thermo–mechanical and/or tribological performances, according to ecological norms and international requirements in order to replace the existing classical materials, setting up current, innovative and high performance solutions, for applications in top areas such as automotive industry and not only. (paper)

[en] Among the weight–efficient materials used in the transport industry are the composite materials with metal matrix (Metal Matrix Composites), the aluminium alloy matrix (Aluminium Matrix Composites) being an important category. From the manufacturing process, the low cost method and uniform distribution of reinforcement particulate in aluminium is a demanding challenge in this area. Among various manufacturing methods stir casting is generally accepted as a promising route because of low cost, little damage to reinforcement and stir cast components are not restricted by its size and shape. It also possesses advantages like simplicity, flexibility and applicability to large quantity production. At the same time, aluminium offers intelligent and practical solutions to recovering for recycling. This paper presents an overview of the relatively low cost stir casting technique, for use in the production of silicon carbide/aluminium alloy metal matrix composites, using recycled aluminium. (paper)

[en] The management of waste from used tires is one of the major principles of recycling and reuse, which involves encouraging a high level of material recovery components, preferably by recycling. Given the current pressure on natural resources on a global scale we must fully take into account the waste in a broader framework defined by the flow of raw materials and their sustainable use. Thus, the opportunity to use various waste from used tires as raw material in order to support economic activities becomes a priority. The recycling of raw materials from waste products and their use in new production processes for their material capitalization is becoming a sustainable approach. Used tire recycling, is the process of recycling waste tires that are no longer suitable for use on vehicles due to wear or irreparable damage. These tires are a problematic source of waste, due to the large volume produced, the durability of the tires, and the components in the tire that are ecologically problematic. Although tires are usually burnt, not recycled, efforts are continuing to find value. Tires can be recycled into, among other things, typically as crumb rubber modifier in recycled pavement. The paper presents aspects of the product resulting from crushing of used tires (powder), which can be used properly valued in the street furniture field or building materials containing rubber. (paper)

[en] The objective of the research is to develop new fully / partially biodegradable composite materials by using new natural fibers and those recovered from various wastes. Thus, the research aims to obtain some composites with matrix of various types of polymeric materials and the reinforcement phase of textile materials (of different natures, morphologies and composites) so that the resulting products to be (bio)degradable. The textile inserts used as raffle are ecological, non–toxic and biodegradable and they contain (divided or in combination) bast fibers (flax, hemp, jute) and other vegetable fibers (cotton, wool) as plain yarn or fabric, which can replace fibers of glass commonly used in polymeric composites. The main activities described in this article are carried out during the first phase of the research (phase I – initiation of research) and they are oriented towards the choice of types of textile inserts from which the composites will be obtained (the materials needed for the raffle), the choice of the types of polymers (the necessary materials for matrices) and choosing the variants of composites with different types and proportions of the constituent content (proposals and working variants) and choosing the right method for obtaining samples of composite materials (realization technology). The purpose of the research is to obtain composite materials with high structural, thermo–mechanical and / or tribological performances, according to ecological norms and international requirements in order to replace the existing classical materials, setting up current, innovative and high performance solutions, for applications in top areas such as automotive industry and not only. (paper)

[en] Natural fibre reinforced composites are gaining interest because of its attractive properties such as low weight, higher stiffness and low cost. Fibre reinforced composites are lightweight, strong, and durable materials which are seeing increasing adoption in the transportation, construction and many other markets. Therefore, sustainability in their use phase is often a key driver for the selection of composites over traditional materials. In the meantime, the ever–growing amount of textile wastes leads to the necessity to utilize these waste materials and to develop further processing technologies for their beneficial application. Due to various application possibilities and its economic impact, the valorisation of textile wastes has attracted increasing attention. This review summarized the valorisation potential of a textile waste products, especially of flax, hemp and jute fabrics. In this context application of different textile wastes for development of some value added product has been thought of in this paper. (paper)

[en] This assessment focuses on the composites with metal matrix, the development of these composites having an important innovation in area of materials engineering over the last years, having in view that these type of composites offer several attractive advantages over the traditional engineering materials due to their superior properties. Therefore, the metal matrix composite become economical alternatives to the monolithic alloys due to their improved specific strength, stiffness and wear resistance combined with better physical properties such as low density and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Even though the specific strength of composites is not up to the mark, advantages like low processing cost and ease of processing make them as potential candidates for various innovative applications. In the meantime, the recycling of any waste is as such a worldwide phenomenon. In this context application of aluminium wastes for development of some value added product has been thought of in this work. This paper presents an overview of aluminium matrix composite systems on aspects relating to processing of matrix from re–melted aluminium wastes. (paper)

[en] The textile composite materials market has witnessed an important growth in the past decades and is estimated to continue during the forecast period, according all statistics and trends. Since the last decades, the usages of various textiles composite materials in different applications have increased steadily, penetrating and conquering new markets, constantly. While textile composites are already proven to be weight–saving and high strength materials, the current challenge is to make these materials cost–effective by reducing the cost of different types of reinforcements (fibres, yarns or fabrics). The efforts to manufacture economically beneficial composite textiles have resulted in several innovative production techniques, currently being used in the area of the composites industry. Applications vary significantly in size and complexity, loading and surface quality, operating temperature, suitable production volumes and peculiar added value. The expanding choice of raw materials, in terms of the reinforcement type together with the matrix type, followed by many production techniques, gives impressive flexibility in manufacturing of textile reinforced composites. The aim of this work was investigation of the possibilities of reusing of textile wastes, especially the textiles derived from the packaging industry, as reinforcement in production of new added–valued composite materials. (paper)