Abstract
In the study, the effect of refining and fractionation of wood fibres on
fibre morphology and biocomposite properties was determined. Kraft pine
pulp and thermomechanical pulp were selected for the fibre treatments.
Effects of physical treatment on fibre morphology were analysed with a
fibre analyser and microscopy techniques. For the composites, polylactic
acid was used as a polymer matrix. Composites were produced by melt
processing to a fibre content of 30 wt‐%, and the mechanical properties
of the injection moulded biocomposites were investigated. In general,
thermomechanical pulp fibres improved the mechanical properties of
polylactic acid more than pine pulp fibres did. Two different fibre
fractions with distinct fibre properties were obtained by fractionation,
and the use of a long fibre fraction provided improved mechanical
properties for composites. The refining of pine pulp led to clear
fibrillation of the fibre surface, but it had a negative effect on the
mechanical properties of biocomposites.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 86-92 |
| Journal | Plastics, Rubber and Composites |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- WPC
- biocomposites
- wood fibres
- refining
- fractionation