Marine Innovation Service

Composite materials and processing

Context
The growth of composite materials has
been identified as a key driver for UK
manufacturing in the coming decades.

The commercial opportunities from these

materials are vast and have the potential to
benefit the largest established companies
through to the smallest innovative
start-ups.* The aim of the Marine
Innovation Service is to help those existing
firms, and new start-ups, to increase
their expertise in the use of composites
and ultimately for Cornwall to become
recognised as a centre for marine
composites technology.

Benefits to your Business

Use of advanced composite materials can
bring multiple benefits to your business:
• Higher quality products – low weight with
high strength and stiffness
• Greater repeatability of weight, shape and
mechanical properties
• Greater predictability of component cost
• Reduced material waste
• Enhanced working conditions and
better health and safety.

*The UK Composites Strategy, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills; 2009

MIS IS A SERVICE PROVIDED BY

FALMOUTH MARINE SCHOOL
Marine Innovation Service
Composite materials and processing

Services
The Marine Innovation Service (MIS) can support
your business to use higher performance fabrics
and resins, through our expertise in working
with unidirectional and multi-axial fibres of
glass, aramids and carbons, consolidated in
vinylester and epoxy resin systems, as well as more
conventional polyesters.

We also have experience of moulding products

from sustainable, bio-composite materials.
We can offer consultancy in adopting closed
mould processing systems from wet lay/vacuum
consolidation, through to infusion and pre-pregs
and can support tooling design or modification
towards closed mould processing.

We have a network of industry and academic

experts with strong links to resin formulators, fibre
manufacturers and the key players in the supply
chain to find the best manufacturing solution for
your products.

Facilities
Our workshop can support closed moulding
processes from small components to hulls and
decks of around 5m and has elevated temperature
curing capability. In addition to the specialist
workshop facility, there is a dedicated office and
a seminar/meeting space with network point,
DVD player and data projector. Material testing
capability includes a Houndsfield H20K-W capable
of applying tensile, compressive, 3 and 4 point
bending loads of up to 2kN.

Contact Details
Alex Whatley – Marine Innovation Service Manager
alex.whatley@cornwall.ac.uk
07771 907266
01326 318247

02170MM1010

MIS IS A SERVICE PROVIDED BY

FALMOUTH MARINE SCHOOL