HC Plastics News: Recently, researchers at the Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany have developed a series of bio-based fiber-plastic composites that can be produced on a large scale, which can be used as a substitute for glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
The picture shows a bio-based fiber plastic composite. Image source: Chemnitz University / RicoWelzel.
Ahmed-AmineOuali, a researcher at the Institute of Lightweight Structures, said: "We replace glass fiber or carbon fiber with natural fibers such as linen, and our plastic matrix is ​​a renewable biopolymer. Therefore, the carbon footprint of the product's life cycle is obvious. Better.†The researchers also said that the use of continuous filaments can make the composite very stiff in the fiber direction and the stiffness will be very good.
The main goal of the researchers was to develop a program that would allow semi-finished products made of plastic and natural fibers to be produced on a large scale. Currently, thin film stacking technology is the most common practice. In this process, a single layer of material (such as a plastic film or non-crimped fabric plus a plastic film) is stacked layer by layer in a hot press, melted under pressure, and further in another machine. It is processed into sheets. For continuous procedures, MERGE researchers must design a new calender.
According to uali, “natural fibers have special properties compared to glass or carbon fibers: they absorb liquids easily. Therefore, they must be dried before processing. At the institute, we developed a dryer that can be used with calenders. Tightly connected, with virtually no gaps, so that the dried fibers have little contact with the damp environment."
The newly developed Omega calender consists of several cylinders, and the flax fiber plastic film can theoretically be continuously guided, heated and pressed together. After the impregnation process and cooling of the thermoplastic prepreg, the fibrous matrix semi-finished product is processed. It can be rolled up and can be further processed in a variety of ways, and a rigid board can be prepared by pressing a multilayer film into a desired size. Ouali said: "We can also form semi-finished products again and combine them with injection molding products."
The production process is currently intermittent and will stop for a period of time after continuous production of the prepreg semi-finished product. Production will continue in many different plants as needed. Researchers say that for large-scale production, manufacturing paths can be supplemented or combined accordingly.
Ouali said: "We will further try a variety of fiber structures similar to knitted or non-crimped fabrics, or in other forms combined with different substrates (such as film or spunbond fabric)." 
Editor in charge: Wang Ning 12
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