Paper number 1264

INFLUENCING FACTORS ON THE PROPERTIES OF NATURAL FIBER REINFORCED THERMOPLASTICS PROCESSED BY INJECTION MOULDING

B. Wielage1, G. Mennig2, T. Aurich2, Th. Lampke1 and A.Odeshi1

1Department of Composite Materials, Chemnitz University of Technology,
D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany
2Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Plastics Technology,
D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany

Summary Injection molding is a suitable method for processing natural fiber reinforced composite parts. The most important factors influencing the resulting mechanical properties are the quality of the fiber matrix adhesion, the selection of suitable processing parameters and the fiber orientation. It is possible to separate the fibers more efficiently and to increase the specific surface by means of appropriate decortication procedures and alkali treatment. This leads to a higher reinforcement potential of the natural fibers. With the help of thermal analysis it is possible to characterize the limits of the processing temperatures for natural fibers as well as for the thermoplastic matrix. In order to take into account the low temperature resistance of natural fibers suitable processing parameters need to be chosen. The matrix flow during the injection molding process results in a layer morphology and causes anisotropic mechanical properties.
Keywords natural fiber reinforcement, treatment of natural fibers, thermoplastics, injection molding, layer morphology, thermal analysis.

Theme : Natural Composites ; Others

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