Home Microcellular Wood Fibre Reinforced PP Composites
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Microcellular Wood Fibre Reinforced PP Composites

A Comparative Study Between Extrusion, Injection Moulding and Compression Moulding
  • A. K. Bledzki and O. Faruk
Published/Copyright: March 26, 2013
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Submit Manuscript Author Information
International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 21 Issue 3

Abstract

Microcellular wood fibre reinforced polymers have practical significance given the possibility of reducing the density of automotive components due to their microcellular structure, as well as processing and performance advantages. A microcellular foaming process with a chemical foaming agent was applied at an experimental stage to injection moulding, extrusion and compression moulding of wood fibre reinforced polypropylene composites. The focus of the research was to investigate these processes using a chemical foaming agent and to perform comparative studies of the physico-mechanical properties of microcellular materials. The effects of the presence of the chemical foaming agent (exothermic) and variation of its content on density, microvoid content, mechanical properties (tensile and flexural), odour concentration and cell morphology of microcellular polypropylene-wood fibre composites were studied. The morphology, cell size, shape and distribution of the microcells were investigated using scanning electron micrographs. Injection moulding process produced finer microcellular structures in comparison with the other processes. As compared to the non foamed composites, the density reduced maximum 30% (0.741 g/cm3), 20% (0.837 g/cm3) and 22% (0.830 g/cm3) for the injection moulding, extrusion and compression moulding process respectively. The chemical foaming agent reduced the odour concentration in relation to the same non foamed composites. Injection moulding showed better performance in comparison with extrusion and compression moulding in terms of cell morphology, density reduction, odour concentration and mechanical properties.

∗ Mail address: A. K. Bledzki, Institut für Werkstofftechnik, Kunststoff- und Recyclingtechnik University of Kassel, Mönchebergstr.3, D-34109 Kassel, Germany. E-mail:

References

1 1 Kochanowski, J. E.: Modern Plastics Encyclopedia58, p. 141 (1981)Search in Google Scholar

2 2 Methven, J. M., Dawson, J. R.: Reinforced Foams Mechanics of Cellular Plastics. Macmillan, New York (1982)Search in Google Scholar

3 3 Baer, E.: Engineering Design for Plastics, SPE Polymer Science and Engineering Series. Reinhold, New York (1964)Search in Google Scholar

4 4 Bernhardt, E. C.: Processing of Thermoplastics Materials. SPE Plastics Engineering Series, Reinhold, New York (1959)Search in Google Scholar

5 5 Bledzki, A. K., Faruk, O.: Cellular Polymers21 (6), p. 417 (2002)10.1177/026248930202100601Search in Google Scholar

6 6 Bledzki, A. K., Faruk, O.: Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Woodfiber-Plastic Composites, Madison, Wisconsin USA, p. 227 (2003)Search in Google Scholar

7 7 Bledzki, A. K., Sperber, V. E., Wolff, S.: Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Woodfiber-Plastic Composites, Madison, Wisconsin, USA (2003)Search in Google Scholar

8 8 Patterson, J.: Journal of Vinyl Technology4 (1), p. 26 (1998)10.1002/vnl.10005Search in Google Scholar

9 9 Szamborski, E. C., Buterbaugh, T. E.: Journal of Vinyl Technology16 (1), p. 11 (1994)10.1002/vnl.730160106Search in Google Scholar

10 10 Faruk, O.,: Ph.D Thesis, University of Kassel, Germany (2005)Search in Google Scholar

11 11 Li, Q., Matuana, L. M.: Journal of Applied Polymer Science88, p. 3139 (2003)10.1002/app.12003Search in Google Scholar

12 12 Rizvi, G. M., Park, C. B., Guo, G., Wang, K.: SPE ANTEC Tech. Papers, p.2039 (2003)Search in Google Scholar

13 13 Rikards, R., Bledzki, A. K., Eglajs, A., Cate, A., Kurek, K.: Mechanics of Composite Materials28 (4), p. 435 (1992)10.1007/BF00613321Search in Google Scholar

14 14 Rikards, R., Pedersen, P.: Elaboration of Optimal Design Models for Objects from Data of Experiments: Optimal Design with Advanced Materials. Elsevier, London, New York (1993)10.1016/B978-0-444-89869-2.50016-0Search in Google Scholar
Received: 2005-07-07
Accepted: 2006-01-09
Published Online: 2013-03-26
Published in Print: 2006-07-01

© 2006, Hanser Publishers, Munich

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Regular Contributed Articles
  4. New Multicomponent Compatibilization System for Polyolefin/Polystyrene Blends
  5. Preparation and Characterization of HMW PA 6 via Anionic Polymerization of ∊-Caprolactam by Using a Mixture of Di- and Tri-functional Chain Initiators
  6. Polymer Processing Extrusion Instabilities and Methods for their Elimination or Minimisation
  7. Microcellular Wood Fibre Reinforced PP Composites
  8. Effects of Take-up Speed of Melt Spinning on the Structure and Mechanical Propertiesof Maximally Laser Drawn PA9-T Fibers
  9. Description of the Pressure/Throughput Behavior of a Single-screw Plasticating Unit in Consideration of Wall Slippage Effects for Non-Newtonian Material and 1-D flow
  10. Study of Starch Gelatinization in a Flow Field Using Simultaneous Rheometric Data Collection and Microscopic Observation
  11. Analysis of the Residual Stresses in the Process of Nanoimprint Lithography
  12. The Reactive Extrusion of Thermoplastic Polyurethane and the Effect of the Depolymerization Reaction
  13. Simulation of Core Deflection in Powder Injection Molding
  14. Experimental Investigation of the Cooling Flow in the Film Blowing Process
  15. Study of the Compatibilizer Effect on Blends Prepared from Waste Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) and High Density Polyethylene
  16. PPS News
  17. PPS News
  18. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
  19. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
https://doi.org/10.3139/217.0085

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Regular Contributed Articles
  4. New Multicomponent Compatibilization System for Polyolefin/Polystyrene Blends
  5. Preparation and Characterization of HMW PA 6 via Anionic Polymerization of ∊-Caprolactam by Using a Mixture of Di- and Tri-functional Chain Initiators
  6. Polymer Processing Extrusion Instabilities and Methods for their Elimination or Minimisation
  7. Microcellular Wood Fibre Reinforced PP Composites
  8. Effects of Take-up Speed of Melt Spinning on the Structure and Mechanical Propertiesof Maximally Laser Drawn PA9-T Fibers
  9. Description of the Pressure/Throughput Behavior of a Single-screw Plasticating Unit in Consideration of Wall Slippage Effects for Non-Newtonian Material and 1-D flow
  10. Study of Starch Gelatinization in a Flow Field Using Simultaneous Rheometric Data Collection and Microscopic Observation
  11. Analysis of the Residual Stresses in the Process of Nanoimprint Lithography
  12. The Reactive Extrusion of Thermoplastic Polyurethane and the Effect of the Depolymerization Reaction
  13. Simulation of Core Deflection in Powder Injection Molding
  14. Experimental Investigation of the Cooling Flow in the Film Blowing Process
  15. Study of the Compatibilizer Effect on Blends Prepared from Waste Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) and High Density Polyethylene
  16. PPS News
  17. PPS News
  18. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
  19. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 30.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.3139/217.0085/html
Scroll to top button