Bhopal institute claims to develop wood substitute
The Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI) in Bhopal has developed a new engineering material, Green Hybrid Composite (GHC), which it claimed could replace wood to make doors, furniture, flooring and partition walls.
The Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI) in Bhopal has developed a new engineering material, Green Hybrid Composite (GHC), which it claimed could replace wood to make doors, furniture, flooring and partition walls.
The institute claims the material is water-proof and fire-retardant with a 45% lesser cost than wood.
Established in 1981 in Bhopal under the name of Regional Research Laboratory, the government run research institute conducts researches in engineering materials, component and process developments.
“The new material, GHC, is another addition to material developed by the institute since its inception. It is developed by mixing fly ash and plastic wastes with polymers on a definite proportion,” AMPRI senior technical officer Ajay Kulshrestha told HT.
A team of about seven scientists led by Dr P Ashokan developed GHC after seven-year of research.
“The material is 100% water-proof and water retardant. It is almost impossible that it would catch fire in case of any accident as it will burn very slowly without any flame, thus giving enough time to douse fire,” Kulshreshtha said, adding that scientists worked to bring down its weight.
“As it is an alternative to wood, it will save environment as less tress will be cut. Moreover in comparison to a standard teak-wood door, the cost of GHC door will be 30% less and it will cost 45% less if produced on a large scale. So far, the technology has been transferred only to private industries in Chandrapur, Maharashtra and Surat in Gujarat,” he said.