CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/442058
New directions in the CompositesWorld include the advent of materials database organizations, gains in oil & gas exploration and early word from CW's Carbon Fiber 2014. A composites- intensive exterior cladding project in the UK, now complete, has transformed the High Bullen Hotel's former tennis facility into its new Palazzo event pavilion, pictured here. Ofcially opened when the hotel hosted the Devon Tourism Awards 2014 on Nov. 19, the building's exquisite stone- work is actually the product of a unique multi-material composite sandwich panel construction process developed by Acell Industries Ltd. (Dublin, Ireland). To expand the scope of its services, the High Bullen golf and spa hotel, located on a former country estate in Devonshire in the southwest of England, wanted to convert its little-used tennis site into a fexible space for weddings and meetings. Local authorities, however, insisted on a renovation consistent with the shire's traditional architecture. Facing the enormous expense necessary to incorporate into the pavilion the authentic 19 th -Century "Devon stone" masonry charac- teristic of the hotel's stately main building, the hotel's owner contacted Acell for help with a cost-efective alternative. Acell's patented molding technology combines sheet molding compound (SMC) skins and a core of frangible yet fre-resistant mineral foam in a low-pressure compres- sion molding press. Aluminum molds are custom-cast from fberglass master models layed up directly on, and pulled from, natural materials. It is thus possible for Acell to replicate virtually any planar architectural design or surface in the mold surface, including not only classical fnishes, such as stone, wood and brick, but very contemporary designs as well, says Michael Frieh, Acell's executive director. Color in the stone surface was duplicated by applying powdered iron oxide and sand grains to the textured composite panels. The result was a match for Devon stone. Acell also replicated the look of slate in the building's composite roof sheathing and fabricated the event space's interior walls and all of the decorative elements, including columns, statuary, and details of its domed ceilings. Walls were made with glass-reinforced gypsum (GRG, foam-cored gypsum board). Frieh says the rehabilitation project was completed in only six months. No surprise, then, that at the Palazzo's gala opening event, the High Bullen Hotel was presented with the Golden Award for "Large Hotel of the Year," sponsored by UK-based Hotel Perfect, a hotel manage- ment software company. Learn More in CW's article on the cladding project's early stages online | short.compositesworld.com/AcellClad Hotel's event pavilion faithful to past with composite facelift ARCHITECTURE FORECAST Dr. Sanjay Mazumdar of market research frm Lucintel (Irving, TX, US) presented a paper at the 2014 CAMX event, titled "Status of Composites Industry 2015: Market Potentials and Mega Trends." According to his presentation, the composites industry likely grew 5.8% in 2014, and is expected to reach a value of US$10.3 billion by 2019, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. Mazumdar foresees that strong transportation, aerospace and construction sectors will drive the growth rate, as shown on the chart at right. Composite materials market in North America is expected to register near 7% CAGR in the next 5 years. Source / Lucintel Market Size in $ Billion 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2013 2014 2019 8.3% Transportation 7.7% Marine 7.3% Wind Energy 10.2% Aerospace 3.8% Pipe & Tank 7.5% Construction 3.5% E&E; 6.0% Consumer Goods 5.0% Others • White dot signifes high growth areas 8.0 7.4 11.3 2.3 1.5 1.4 3.0 1.0 1.9 1.3 0.8 0.8 1.8 1.7 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.2 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.5 Composite Materials Market Forecast in North America JANUARY 2015 14 CompositesWorld TRENDS