COMPOSITE MATERIAL, IN PARTICULAR FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a composite material (20), in particular for producing sports equipment. It comprises at least one mixed layer made from cork granules (22) and short fibres (24).

Claims

1. A composite material element (20), particularly for the manufacture of sports equipment, characterized in that it comprises at least one mixed layer (26) of cork granules (22) and short fibers (24).

2. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the short fibers (24) consist of at least one material of the group comprising carbon, cotton, flax, basalt, glass, synthetic fibers (Vectran), aramide, coconut, hemp, silk, wool, bamboo, kozo, gampi, abaca, pine kraft and jute.

3. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the short fibers (24) have a length between 0.05 mm and about 6 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

4. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cork granules have a density of about 50 kg/m.sup.3-300 kg/m.sup.3, particularly 90 kg/m.sup.3-250 kg/m.sup.3.

5. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixed layer (26) furthermore comprises a synthetic resin and/or bioresin.

6. The composite material element (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that the synthetic resin is a synthetic resin of the group comprising epoxy resin, polyurethane, vinyl ester, acrylic resin, phenol resin, bioresin and polyester.

7. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional laminate layer (28) of a different material.

8. The composite material element (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the mixed layer (26) is arranged centrally in the form of a core layer referred to a cross section.

9. The composite material element (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the mixed layer (26) is arranged on the outside.

10. The composite material element (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that two mixed layers (26) are provided and respectively arranged on the outside, and in that the laminate layer (28) is arranged in the interior between the two mixed layers (26).

11. The composite material element (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the laminate layer (28) is made of at least one material of the group comprising glass, cotton, flax, basalt, glass, carbon, synthetic fibers (Vectran), hybrid fibers, aramide, coconut, hemp, silk, wool, bamboo, kozo, gampi, abaca, pine kraft and jute.

12. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that it predominantly comprises biodegradable materials.

13. The composite material element (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that a layer consisting of cork granules and synthetic resin is arranged on the outside.

14. The composite material element (20) according to claim 13, characterized in that the outer layer is colored black.

15. The use of a composite material element (20) according to claim 1 in water sports equipment, particularly a sailboard, surfboard, kiteboard, skateboard or hoverboard, in an aircraft, road vehicle, watercraft or building or in a wind power plant.

16. A method for manufacturing a composite material element (20), comprising the following steps: grinding cork into cork granules (22), producing short fibers (24) of a second material, mixing and bonding the cork granules (22) with the short fibers (24), curing the mixture of cork granules (22) and short fibers (24).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized by the addition of a synthetic resin.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the mixture is compressed under pressure.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized by a compression under vacuum.

Description

[0033] The invention is described below with reference to the figures, wherein these figures should only be interpreted as examples and the invention is not limited to these examples. In the figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive composite material element in the form of a cross section,

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a second variation of an inventive composite material element with a laminate layer arranged on the outside thereof,

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a third variation of an inventive composite material element in the form of a core layer with two mixed layers,

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a fourth variation of an inventive composite material element with three mixed layers,

[0038] FIG. 5 shows another variation of an inventive composite material element with an additional top layer and an additional bottom layer,

[0039] FIG. 6 shows another variation of an inventive composite material element with two mixed layers and three additional layers, and

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a simplified schematic representation of a surfboard comprising an inventive composite material element in the form of a cross section.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an inventive composite material element 20, which is composed of cork granules 22 and short fibers 24, in the form of a cross section. The cork granules 22 and the short fibers 24 jointly form a mixed layer 26.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a laminate layer 28 is arranged on the outside of the mixed layer 26.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a variation, in which mixed layers 26 are located on the outer sides of a composite material element 20 such that they form a top layer and a bottom layer. The laminate layer 28, which consists of a different material with other physical properties, is arranged between the two mixed layers 26.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a variation that comprises a total of five layers, wherein the mixed layers 26 are once again arranged on the outside and a laminate layer 28 respectively borders on said mixed layers in the direction of the interior of the composite material element 26. A third mixed layer 26 is located in the interior of the composite material element 20 shown.

[0045] FIGS. 5 and 6 show variations of the inventive composite material element 20, in which laminate layers 28 are respectively arranged on the outer sides. In the variation according to FIG. 5, only one mixed layer 26 is provided in the interior whereas two mixed layers 26 are provided in the variation according to FIG. 6. The composite material element 20 according to FIG. 6 comprises a third laminate layer 28 in its interior.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a cross section through a surfboard 30 in the form of an exemplary schematic representation. This surfboard comprises a foam core 32 that is surrounded by a carbon layer 34. The outside of this carbon layer is surrounded by an inventive mixed layer 26. A fin 36, as well as a carbon element 38, a glass element 40 and a cork granule element 42, are furthermore visible on the outer side.

[0047] The exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 2-6 are particularly suitable as a laminate encasement for a foam core, e.g. a surfboard 30.

[0048] The invention is not limited to the composite material elements shown, but rather also comprises other inventive variations. The layer structure may differ from the variations shown, for example, in dependence on the demands on the composite material element 20.

[0049] According to the invention, the inventive mixed layer 26 may basically also be used as a semi-finished product. It is particularly suitable, for example, for the manufacture of various composite components.

[0050] It was determined that the inventive mixed layer 26 is also suitable, for example, as a floor covering. This is advantageous because the mixed layer 26 provides an exceptionally high sound absorption, as well as thermal insulation.

[0051] The mixed layer 26 can be installed on the floor in the form of solid elements such as tiles, but the mixed layer 26 can in a particularly advantageous variation also be applied to the floor while it is still in its liquid state. It can be poured and subsequently cures. In this way, a seamless and exceptionally plane floor covering is achieved.