2022 Technology Days: Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence

The National Composites Centre is facilitating a series of Technology Days as part of the Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence. Each event will focus on a priority technology theme that has been identified and selected from a consultation with industry and the Ministry of Defence.

Each Technology Day will provide a collaborative discussion space between the Forum Steering Board, the UK industrial supply chain and academic communities that is focused around one of the priority technology themes.

The six Technology Days will be held throughout 2022 hosted by the NCC in Bristol (and/or accessible online), each providing an opportunity for participants to present novel materials and manufacturing technology from mid to low TRL around the priority theme. This will not only help direct future research projects but will also open up opportunities for collaboration with other participants.

During each Technology Day, the NCC will also outline any current or planned research relevant to the theme and details of how to participate in future NCC-directed research projects or initiatives. There will be a chance to discuss any ‘open’ or ‘future-planned’ public funding routes on this topic combined with an opportunity for the voice of the Ministry of Defence Executive agencies Dstl, AWE and SDA to be heard.

Technology Day 4: Composites for a Sustainable Future in Defence

* Expressions of Interest now closed *

Event date: 22 February 2023
Venue: National Composites Centre, Bristol (and online)

The next Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence event will focus on the development of sustainable composite materials and technologies for the defence industry, covering the following topics:

end-of-life recycling technology for composite materials that are specifically used in the defence sector
lifecycle assessment approaches for composites in defence assets
design for sustainability in defence
composites technology that specifically enables alternative energy sources for defence applications, such as electrification and hydrogen power
sustainable or bio-derived composite materials technology for defence applications
technologies to enable the re-life or sustainable repair of composites in defence assets
composite manufacturing technologies for defence applications with demonstrable reduction in energy usage (ie using less heat/electricity/fossil fuels).

We are now reviewing submitted abstracts and will be inviting a number of participants to give a short presentation on the day and to engage in the collaborative workshop and discussions. If selected, we will contact you shortly with a link to book your place. Participation is free but spaces are limited and will need to be booked.

Other events

Registration of interest will open for future Technology Days in due course.

Composites for Survivability - 22 March 2022

* Event complete *

Composites for Survivability - 22 March 2022

Shock load on composite in defence
Impact resistance in defence
Ballistic resistance in defence
Blast resistance in defence
Impact/ballistic modelling for composites
Testing for impact and ballistic on composite
New materials and manufacturing technology for impact/ballistic/blast protection

Composites for Harsh Environments in Defence - 22 June 2022

* Event complete *

Composites for Harsh Environments in Defence - 22 June 2022

Marine environment (surface and sub), saltwater, sea-ice and UV exposure
Acoustic fatigue and acoustic-thermal fatigue (jet and rocket propulsion)
Fire retardancy, resistance and containment, fire smoke and toxicity
Materials and degradation modelling for composites exposed to ionising and non-ionising radiation
Durability/exposure testing for composites materials
Environmental resistance coatings or additives for composites

Composites for High Service Temperature - 28-29 September 2022

*Event complete*

Composites for High Service Temperature - 28-29 September 2022

High Tg polymer matrix composites technology (200C and above)
Metal matrix composites technology for high temperature applications
Ceramic matrix composites technology for high temperature applications
Thermal barrier coatings for composites, heatshields and ablatives
Novel materials for high temperature hypersonic flight applications
Testing of high temperature composites (methods and standards development)
Composites design for high service temperature
Thermal modelling for composites in high temperature
Joining technologies for composite assemblies in high temperature applications, i.e. thermal expansion matching