Extrusion of Cellulose Fibers Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

This study focused on the possibility of industrial extrusion of cellulose fibers polypropylene composites. The challenges were to introduce cellulose fibers into the extruder, to obtain a good dispersion of the fibers into the polypropylene matrix and simultaneously preserve the fiber length and avoid any thermal degradation of the materials.

Cellulose fibers were pelletized prior extrusion. The properties of the pellets were analyzed. The pelletization process was optimized in order to promote the dispersability of the fibers during extrusion and to preserve the fiber reinforcement capacity.

The extrusion process parameters were investigated so that their effects on fiber dispersion, fiber breakage and thermal degradation could be understood.

The mechanical and rheological properties of the composite materials were studied according to the fiber loading, the fiber length, the dispersability of the fibers, the degradation of the materials, and also the origin and the delignification process of the fibers.