High performance hybrid PP and PLA biocomposites reinforced with short man-made cellulose fibres and softwood flour

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 74; pp. 132 - 139
• Main Authors: Bledzki, A.K., Franciszczak, P., Meljon, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2015
• Subjects: A. Hybrid; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); B. Mechanical properties; Cellulose; E. Injection moulding; Fibers; Fibres; Flour; Modulus of rupture in bending; Short fibres; Softwoods; Thermoplastic resins; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); B. Mechanical properties; E. Injection moulding; A. Hybrid
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.03.029

This paper presents the research on hybrid thermoplastic biocomposites reinforced with a combination of short man-made cellulose fibres and softwood flour. The introduced short fibre composites are meant to be processed with injection moulding and may be an alternative to glass-fibre reinforced thermoplastics on account of their comparable specific strengths. The occurring positive hybrid effect enables to substitute up to half the weight of short fibre cellulose reinforcement with softwood flour without a significant reduction of material flexural strength. The flexural modulus of investigated hybrid biocomposites remained approximately at the same level, while impact strength was reduced with increasing softwood flour content. The proposed hybridisation leads to establishing biocomposites of suitable performance with competitive density, price and recycling possibilities in comparison to standard glass fibre reinforced counterparts. Moreover, the application of biobased polymers like polylactide as biocomposite matrix, contributes to the development of so called “green” high performance materials.