Novel Cellulose based Composite Material for Thermoplastic processing

Novel solutions using renewable materials are needed to tackle sustainability issues in industry. Totally cellulose-based composites, suitable for thermoplastic processing are introduced in this paper. The polymer matrix was a thermoplastic cellulose ester, Thermocell. Composites reinforcing fibres consisted of microcellulose, bleached softwood kraft pulp fibres, or long regenerated viscose fibres. The latest allowed to improve composites mechanical performance, especially at 20 wt-% loading. In the extrusion process, fibres oriented along processing direction, giving hopes for a future use in extrusion type additive manufacturing (AM). However, further developments of the AM system are required to print this material. With 20 wt- % microcellulose, the composite could be 3D printed using a fused granular fabrication process. Improved microcellulose dispersion was achieved with 2 wt-% tall-oil fatty acid lignin ester or cellulose ester ether additives. Wood-based additives also helped to decrease the internal porosity, leading to better mechanical performance of 3D printed materials.