Saxophone and clarinet reeds, made from bio-based materials in a thermoplastic pultrusion process
Topic(s) : Material science
Co-authors :
Lars WOLLERT (GERMANY), Jan KALLLWEIT , Thomas GRIESAbstract :
Saxophone and clarinet reeds, made from bio-based materials in a thermoplastic pultrusion process
Traditionally, instrument reeds, which are necessary for sound production, are made from the wood of the pile cane (Arundo Donax). The material properties of Arundo Donax are influenced by different cultivation and harvesting conditions. These irregularities occur even when material from the same trunk is considered. As a result, depending on the musician and reed manufacturer, only a fraction of the natural reeds are judged to be playable and tonally usable. In addition, the Arundo Donax is susceptible to unavoidable influences such as moisture and saliva bacteria, which limits its lifespan. Due to the fluctuations in quality of the reeds resulting from the variability of the material and their limited lifespan, synthetic replacement materials have been used for many years. These enable increased durability and reproducible quality.
The use of raw materials from renewable sources such as natural fibre reinforcements or bio-based matrix materials offers great potential for sustainable fibre composite components. The use of thermoplastics in particular is ecologically and economically promising. In contrast to thermosets, it is already possible to produce thermoplastics completely biobased. In addition, cycle times can be reduced to a minimum.
As part of the research work, a sustainable composite material is being developed that is similar to the acoustomechanical properties of Arundo Donax. For this purpose, different material combinations of various natural fibres and thermoplastic matrix materials are combined to specifically adjust the stiffness, density and damping. Cellulose fibres and flax fibre yarns with different degrees of orientation and pet fibres with thermoplastic matrix systems such as PLA, PP, PA11 and PETG are processed into fibre composites.
The material combination is consolidated in a thermopress and later tested in tensile tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 527-4. In addition, the moisture absorption, which is decisive for the playing properties, is determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 62
A thermoplastic pultrusion process is then developed for the most suitable material combination. Reinforcement and matrix fibres are fed together through a heated mould in which consolidation takes place continuously without disorientation in the edge area. The continuous tension on the reinforcing fibre leads to a high degree of orientation and consistent consolidation quality. In terms of costs, the pultrusion process therefore offers enormous advantages: the manufacturing costs per sheet can be significantly reduced thanks to the reduction in semi-finished product costs, more efficient process design, less waste and labour costs as well as short cycle times.
Authors
NameInstitutionContact
Jan KallweitInstitut für Textiltechnik (ITA) der RWTH Aachen University
Lars WollertLars.wollert@ita.rwth-aachen.de
Thomas Gries
Traditionally, instrument reeds, which are necessary for sound production, are made from the wood of the pile cane (Arundo Donax). The material properties of Arundo Donax are influenced by different cultivation and harvesting conditions. These irregularities occur even when material from the same trunk is considered. As a result, depending on the musician and reed manufacturer, only a fraction of the natural reeds are judged to be playable and tonally usable. In addition, the Arundo Donax is susceptible to unavoidable influences such as moisture and saliva bacteria, which limits its lifespan. Due to the fluctuations in quality of the reeds resulting from the variability of the material and their limited lifespan, synthetic replacement materials have been used for many years. These enable increased durability and reproducible quality.
The use of raw materials from renewable sources such as natural fibre reinforcements or bio-based matrix materials offers great potential for sustainable fibre composite components. The use of thermoplastics in particular is ecologically and economically promising. In contrast to thermosets, it is already possible to produce thermoplastics completely biobased. In addition, cycle times can be reduced to a minimum.
As part of the research work, a sustainable composite material is being developed that is similar to the acoustomechanical properties of Arundo Donax. For this purpose, different material combinations of various natural fibres and thermoplastic matrix materials are combined to specifically adjust the stiffness, density and damping. Cellulose fibres and flax fibre yarns with different degrees of orientation and pet fibres with thermoplastic matrix systems such as PLA, PP, PA11 and PETG are processed into fibre composites.
The material combination is consolidated in a thermopress and later tested in tensile tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 527-4. In addition, the moisture absorption, which is decisive for the playing properties, is determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 62
A thermoplastic pultrusion process is then developed for the most suitable material combination. Reinforcement and matrix fibres are fed together through a heated mould in which consolidation takes place continuously without disorientation in the edge area. The continuous tension on the reinforcing fibre leads to a high degree of orientation and consistent consolidation quality. In terms of costs, the pultrusion process therefore offers enormous advantages: the manufacturing costs per sheet can be significantly reduced thanks to the reduction in semi-finished product costs, more efficient process design, less waste and labour costs as well as short cycle times.
Authors
NameInstitutionContact
Jan KallweitInstitut für Textiltechnik (ITA) der RWTH Aachen University
Lars WollertLars.wollert@ita.rwth-aachen.de
Thomas Gries