Innovation in the Plastic Industry 3: Upcycle of Plastic Waste: Natural Fiber Plastic Composites

2016 ◽  
pp. 229-248
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Kamel ◽  
Salah M. El-Haggar
Keyword(s):  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Plastic Composites ◽  
Fiber Plastic ◽  
Plastic Industry

scholarly journals Combining Fiber Enzymatic Pretreatments and Coupling Agents to Improve Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hemp Hurd/Wood/Polypropylene Composite

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 6384
Author(s):  
Xiaoping Li ◽  
Mingli Qiang ◽  
Mingwei Yang ◽  
Jeffrey J. Morrell ◽  
Neng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Coupling Agent ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Coupling Agents ◽  
Hemp Fiber ◽  
Plastic Composites ◽  
Fiber Plastic ◽  
Hemp Hurd

Natural fiber/plastic composites combine the low density and excellent mechanical properties of the natural fiber with the flexibility and moisture resistance of the plastic to create materials tailored to specific applications in theory. Wood/plastic composites (WPC) are the most common products, but many other fibers are being explored for this purpose. Among the more common is hemp hurd. Natural fibers are hydrophilic materials and plastics are hydrophobic, therefore one problem with all of these products is the limited ability of the fiber to interact with the plastic to create a true composite. Thus, compatibilizers are often added to enhance interactions, but fiber pretreatments may also help improve compatibility. The effects of pectinase or cellulase pretreatment of wood/hemp fiber mixtures in combination with coupling agents were evaluated in polypropylene panels. Pretreatments with pectinase or cellulase were associated with reduced thickness swell (TS24h) as well as increased modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. Incorporation of 5.0% silane or 2.5% silane/2.5% titanate as a coupling agent further improved pectinase-treated panel properties, but was associated with diminished properties in cellulase treated fibers. Combinations of enzymatic pretreatment and coupling agents enhanced fiber/plastic interactions and improved flexural properties, but the effects varied with the enzyme or coupling agent employed. The results illustrate the potential for enhancing fiber/plastic interactions to produce improved composites.

Critical Issues in Extrusion Foaming of Plastic/Woodfiber Composites

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 347-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.M. Rizvi ◽  
G. Guo ◽  
C.B. Park ◽  
Y.S. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Impact Strength ◽  
Wood Fiber ◽  
Plastic Composites ◽  
Material Cost ◽  
Fiber Plastic ◽  
Extrusion Foaming ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Enhanced Properties ◽  
Processing Techniques

Foaming of wood-fiber/plastic composites (WPC) with a fine-celled structure can offer benefits such as improved ductility and impact strength, lowered material cost, and lowered weight, which can improve their utility in many applications. However, foaming of WPC is still a poorly understood art. This paper presents a review of material published, which address the various critical issues particularly in extrusion foaming of WPC, and the proposed processing techniques and strategies, for producing artificial wood with enhanced properties.

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