The compounding of long fibre reinforced composites based on flax and a polypropylene matrix has been implemented by a co-rotating, close-intermeshing twin-screw extruder. Extensive experiments have been carried out to optimise the fibre/matrix adhesion and the screw concept. Only short fibre structures could be achieved by the use of conventional screw elements, like kneading blocks or turbine mixing elements. Applying newly developed special screw elements long fibre structures as well as an optimum fibre dispersion could be reached. Until now the best mechanical properties could be achieved with a PP/flax-composite based on 30 weight% flax and 1 phr MAH coupling agent. The compounding has been carried out with the NF13D2 process configuration. For exampie the flexural strength of the composite is 60% higher than the value homopolymer. Another interesting comparison can be made between the properties of a PP/flax-composite and a long glass fibre reinforced composite (30 weight-% glass). The PP/glass-composite has been generated by a direct incorporation process on a single screw extruder at the IKT. The compatibilizer has been 3 phr Exxelor PO 1015 which is a precusor product of Exxelor PO 1020. Comparing the isotropic flexural strength of both materials, the ratio between flax and glass composites reaches 78%. This is a remarkable value due to the fact that the specific tensile strength ratio of the fibres achieves only 70%. The reason for this behaviour probably may be the better coupling agent system in case of the flax composite. Finally all the requirements of the automobile industry partner conceming the mechanical properties of natural fibre composites for indoor panels can be fulfilled without any problems.
Compounding and characterisation of long fibre reinforced composites based on flax and polypropylene
Verbund und Kennzeichnung von langfaserverstärkten Verbundwerkstoffen auf Flachs- und Polypropylenbasis
2002
5 Seiten, 13 Bilder, 3 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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