With the increasing demand for energy saving and emission reduction in the transportation industry, the study on lightweight sandwich composites (LSCs) has attracted much attention during the past two decades. However, current LSCs were strongly limited by the properties of lightweight core materials. In this context, a two-step process was designed to prepare fibre reinforced foaming unsaturated polyester composite (FR-FUP) as a novel lightweight core of sandwich composites. The pre-foaming sheet is prepared as the basic component of FUP composites, which make it possible to form the foam core material in situ when preparing the sandwich composites. In this project, aiming at solving some key scientific problems of FR-FUP composite and providing theorical base to the development of new generation LSCs. Based on the targeted molecular design and synthesis of UP polymer matrix, and the modified pre-foaming sheets, the fellow will focus on the advanced FR-FUP composites with high mechanical properties, high flame retardant performance and good designability.

The main objectives include:

1. to find an optimal polymer matrix for the two-step molding process of FR-FUP composites by click polymerization;
2. to establish structure-property relationship between tailored UP resin and FR-FUP composites;
3. to prepare multifunctional lightweight composite and expand its application in transportation industry. This proposal presents an interdisciplinary and innovative approach with great significance.

The original ideas will bring us bran-new to design and prepare LSCs.