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

Award Information
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Branch: N/A
Contract: 2003-33610-13929
Agency Tracking Number: 2003-04098
Amount: $296,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1001 Chalkstone Drive
Mitchell, SD 57301
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dale Ryan
 (605) 996-3903
 daleryan2@mit.midco.net
Business Contact
 John Sij
Title: Professor of Research
Phone: (940) 552-9941
Email: j-sij@tamu.edu
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

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.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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