Composites technology is nearly completing seven decades of its existence on a global level. In the long history of materials spanning centuries, it is too short a period for a new material system to establish its command. Yet, the growth and development have been phenomenal. The supremacy of its technological base is being shown in four areas;
(i) On a macro-structural level, fibre reinforced structural composites are successfully competing and replacing age old steel, aluminium and concrete in producing giant air crafts, long bridges and tall structures.
(ii) In the manufacturing front, old labour intensive processes are giving way to semi-mechanized and fully automatic production processes.
(iii) At the materials level, composition of materials goes down from micro to nano level creating nano composites and resin curing being down by electron beam curing.
(iv) Composites are destined to play major roles in the protection of environment and in the reduction of carbon emission by its role in wind, solar and bio processing and by using bio resins and bio fibres.
Indian composites industry is also five decades old. The volume growth during this period is good and the developments in the aerospace and defense sectors are excellent. But in the industrial sector, development is no way near that of what is happening on the global level.
There are many reasons for this lack of technological development. The fundamental reason is of course our mindset. In India, industrial houses have grown as extensions of money business and barring a few, many do not take pride in any technological achievements. We do have many technological innovators in the composites field, but they do not get the required recognition as the money spinners do get. Hardly do they get any support from industries, government, universities and even from composites industry associations. Contrary to this, innovators like Goldsworthy, scientists like Sir Antony Kelly, Universities like university of Delaware and industry associations of USA and China have spear headed the technology developments. Our mindset does not promote such efforts. Materials research and manufacturing technology have taken back seat and is getting drowned in the IT flood.
All predictions show that about 50% of the world production of composites will be in Asia during the coming decade. If India has to take a major role in this growth and development, the country cannot neglect the development of its technological base.
In this highly competitive industrial environment, if India has to take a substantial share of this production, composites industry has to build up its technological base. Our industries have to understand this reality and change their mindset and work for a sound technology based production. At present, most FRP industries take up work from other industries and execute like sub contractors. While no harm in continuing this, they have to take up new innovative products, processes, materials technology and marketing.
We enclose with this issue a Composites Directory to all our subscribers and well wishers. This we believe will serve as a part of our Helpline programme.
Dr. N.G. NAIR
Honorary Editor
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