A Kenaf Fiber Based End-Grain Sandwich Core Material for Composites

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: There is no inexpensive End-Grain Sandwich Core Material for Composites today. Balsa, as an end-grain cellulosic core, has had no competition since 1945. Balsa core is grown in Ecuador and needs to be imported to the U.S.A as well as all other countries. The introduction of an inexpensive end-grained core would open up new possibilities in the composites market. The purpose of this project is to provide an inexpensive Core Material by utilizing the inner "balsa-like" kenaf core. Polymer Bridge Systems, with assistance from Texas A & M university and the University of Maine in Orono, will establish large-scale growing of kenaf for this purpose as well as simultaneously assembling the full production line for kenaf core blocks. These steps will allow the commercialization of an inexpensive, and yet, high-performance end-grain core material.