DSB train seating, featuring wool and pigmented cowhide leather upholstery over moulded polyurethane resin (PUR) foam. The materials used in public transport must meet strict flame and emissions requirements. For example, the leather is treated during tanning to enhance flame retardancy. Flammable parts, such as wood, parts must be below a certain size and weight, so as not to contribute to a potential fire.
A sandwich panel consisting of 3D Core PET (a unique, high performance, conformable polyethylene terephthalate foam core material ideally suited to resin infusion) sandwiched between two layers of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic.
Hope Forever Blossoming portable folding vase, by D-Bros, 2003, in multi-layer laminated polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET) and polyamide (PA), welded to form a water-tight stand-up container
Yacht racing sail, featuring unidirectional aramid and carbon fibres, laminated between thin films of biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET), polyester. This combination produces an exceptionally lightweight sail capable of maintaining its flying shape even under extreme wind loads.
Ocean by Smile Plastics, a sheet material designed for furniture and interior application, made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) packaging. Produced from 100% recycled material, it is fully recyclable end-of-life.
Bencore Starlight composite panel with macro-cellular translucent styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) core bonded with external layers in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, offered in various finishes and standard colours. Also available with polycarbonate (PC) or polyester (PET) outer layers.
Mobile phone cover, featuring steel with two layers of colour produced by physical vapour deposition (PVD), which is laser etched to produce a graphic visual effect. Aluminium titanium nitride (AlTiN) provides the black, masking a layer of silver chromium nitride (CrN) below.
Mobile phone cover, featuring steel with two layers of colour produced by physical vapour deposition (PVD), which is laser etched to produce a graphic visual effect. A top layer of zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN) provides the blue colour, and is selectively removed to reveal the gold coloured zirconium nitride (ZrN) layer below.
Chemically coloured and quilted stainless steel sheet, used in architectural cladding, interiors, signage, catering, luggage and furniture. Chemical colouring produces intense colours (interference) on the surface of stainless steel by enhancing the naturally occurring layer of chromium oxide.
Chemically coloured and embossed stainless steel sheet, used in architectural cladding, interiors, signage, catering, luggage and furniture. Chemical colouring produces intense colours (interference) on the surface of stainless steel by enhancing the naturally occurring layer of chromium oxide.
Polished, chemically coloured and selectively etched stainless steel sheet, used in architectural cladding, interiors, signage, catering, luggage and furniture. Chemical colouring produces intense colours (interference) on the surface of stainless steel by enhancing the naturally occurring layer of chromium oxide.
Embossed, chemically coloured and selectively etched (pattern) stainless steel sheet, used in architectural cladding, interiors, signage, catering, luggage and furniture. Chemical colouring produces intense colours (interference) on the surface of stainless steel by enhancing the naturally occurring layer of chromium oxide.
Press-moulded sandwich panel from ThermHex EconCore polypropylene (PP) honeycomb sandwich panel for automotive interior application. The PP core is sandwiched between PP skins and over-moulded with PP to create features on the edge. PP is used throughout, ensuring the product remains fully recyclable as a monomaterial.
Press-moulded sandwich panel from ThermHex EconCore polypropylene (PP) honeycomb sandwich panel, for automotive interior application. The PP core is sandwiched between PP skins ensuring the product remains fully recyclable as a monomaterial.
A roll of non-crimp (unidirectional) glass fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF60) textile, before consolidation (heat and pressure). The unidirectional fibres are laid at 45 and -45 deg, top and bottom.
Trampoline fabric in monofilament polypropylene (PP) basket weave, calendered (fused with heat and pressure between polished rolls) to reduce movement between the fibres, and screen printed with white logo. The PP is UV stabilised, so it can tolerate weathering for 10 years or more
Injection moulded talc-filled polypropylene (PP-T20) using a mould with a surface texture that faithfully mimics leather including stitching. PP is cost effective and helps to maintain a cohesive material theme throughout an interior, because it can be used unpainted in many parts. For example, instrument panel (dashboard), door panel and pillar covers, which are in contact with one another. It may be combined with foam injection moulding (such as Mucell) to create lightweight structural parts with a TPO foil skin for the tactile surface. Using materials with similar chemistry enables higher rates of recycling.
Bencore Lightben composite panel produced by bonding transparent polycarbonate (PC) cylinders to external layers in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic, polycarbonate (PC) or polyester (PET)
Lightweight sandwich panel, constructed from honeycomb aluminium core held between cast polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, sheets. Typically, aluminium alloy 3003 or 5052 are used for the core.
Lightweight sandwich panel, constructed from honeycomb aluminium core held between cast polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, sheets. Typically, aluminium alloy 3003 or 5052 are used for the core.
Kirinite is a cast polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, which comes in a wide range of swirling colours and effects. Here it has been machined as a trumpet mouthpiece. It is also commonly used for knife handles and pen bodies.
Jali by Sensitile, is a light refracting and reflecting panel produced with a proprietary polymer material - based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic - in a unique layered composition.
Magna-Tiles magnetic building toy injection moulded from colourful transparent acrylic copolymer, methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS)
Gweilo light sculpture, by Partisans for Parachilna, is made by hot forming etched acrylic sheets by hand. The light is transmitted through the sheet from one edge, and emits as a glow from the cut grooves and edges due to phenomenon known as edge glow, or lit edge.
Mixed recycled polyethylene (PE) compression moulded sheets. It is made of recyled mixed plastic core, which is compressed and encapsulated in a recycled plastic skin, providing a lightweight panel with a dense, smooth surface. Produced from 100% recycled material, it is fully recyclable end-of-life.
Rotation moulded recycled polyethylene (PE) produced from old kayaks. Damaged or degraded kayaks are ground up, mixed, and rotation moulded into new products.
The graphics on the underside of a snowboard, produced from precision die cut polyethylene (PE). Patterns produced in this way are durable to abrasion and will not wear or rub-off like print on plastic.
Seed of Love bag, designed by Ross Lovegrove for Tokyo Fiber Sensware exhibition, 2009, produced by Sakase Adtech (fabric) and Unitika (fibre). It is made from triaxial woven fabric consisting of heat-fused polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester fibre. The fibre is a core-sheath filament with a lower melting point polyester in the sheath. With heat, the sheath is melted and fused without affecting the core.
Gradient colour tests for Adidas t-shirt knitted with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester. The gradient effect is the result of plied yarn of contrasting colour.
Adidas t-shirt knitted with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester. The gradient effect is the result of plied yarn of contrasting colour.
Echo paraglider wing, fabricated from lightweight woven nylon (PA66) top surface (Dominico D20) and polyurethane resin (PUR) coated nylon (PA66) ripstop underside (Porcher Skytex), the largest model has an area of 28.9 m2 and weighs a mere 4.7 kg.
Press-formed automotive part, made up of patches of continuous glass-fibre reinforced nylon PA6, orientated to optimise strength, manufactured using Cetim’s high-speed thermostamping technique, named Quilted Stratum Process (QSP)
Perforated lightweight packaging paper. The die cut pattern means the paper, when stretched, becomes a 3D honeycomb structure, which helps protect packaged items.
SuperOrganic natural wall covering by Oberflex. This example is made with compressed dried hay and blue cornflowers on 100 gsm nonwoven linen. It is often clad onto a sound absorbing material or high pressure laminate (HPL), depending on the requirements of the interior space.
Leather processed from the skin of Tilapia (tilapiine cichlid tribe), a fresh water fish. Fish skin leather is a by-product of the edible fish industry. The texture of the leather depends on the size and shape of the scale pockets which vary from 2 to 20 mm depending on the species.
Stellar Nebula light, designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for Artemide, features a handblown crystal glass diffuser, with a PVD (physical vapour deposition) coating to create interference colour
Addition Sofa, designed by Kaare Klint for Carl Hansen & Søn, 1933, features button tufted aniline leather upholstery and oak legs. Over time, the high quality aniline has developed a rich patina, becoming darker with age.
This Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 55 is made with canvas and cowhide trim. The canvas is cotton coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is printed and embossed to look like leather. The plastic coating provides an extremely durable and long lasting finish, and is much less expensive than leather. The leather trim is left untreated. Known as vachetta leather, it is vegetable tanned and retains the natural colour of the skin. Over time, it has developed a rich patina.
Leavers lace, named after the weaving machine it is made on, consists of cotton yarns held together at regular intervals by nylon thread. The yarns move from side to side, to create decorate patterns in the structure of the fabric itself.
Copper coated nonwoven embossed polyamide (PA), nylon. The thin metal layer is applied by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). These materials are used for shielding applications in products and interiors.
Cast recycled concrete tiles by Novel Grey. The surface finish depends on the mould, with gloss coming from highly polished moulds and a matte surface from rubber moulds. The rubber moulds also cause a variegated effect in the pigment.
Cast recycled concrete tiles by Novel Grey. The surface finish depends on the mould, with gloss coming from highly polished moulds and a matte surface from rubber moulds. The rubber moulds also cause a variegated effect in the pigment.
Cast recycled concrete tiles by Novel Grey. The surface finish depends on the mould, with gloss coming from highly polished moulds and a matte surface from rubber moulds. The rubber moulds also cause a variegated effect in the pigment.
The pattern on the surface of this pile fabric, made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN), acrylic fibre, is laser etched. It is for interior applications. This kind of synthetic velvet is used for upholstery, wall covering and decorative applications.
Spot Material is a database of materials for sustainable design, curated by Rob Thompson. Compare properties, carbon and end of life, find better alternatives and discover new material innovations. Browse all materials
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