Eco-solutions for automotive interior applications by way of thermoplastic biocomposites: cost, weight and green advancements
by Mihaela Mihai; Karen Stoeffler
International Journal of Automotive Composites (IJAUTOC), Vol. 3, No. 2/3/4, 2017

Abstract: This paper discloses viable eco-solutions concerning the formulation and the performance of biocomposites and bioblends formulated based on polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA6), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and designated for the fabrication of interior automotive parts. Biocomposites containing up to 40 wt.% of cellulosic fibres were first formulated and compounded. Bioblends containing up to 30 wt.% polylactide (PLA) were also obtained. Different formulations of biocomposites were also compounded based on PLA-containing alloys and cellulosic fibres. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of obtained bioblends and biocomposites presented at least equivalent values comparing to their commercial counterparts currently used in the fabrication of automotive interior parts. Parts obtained by foaming through injection-moulding process presented similar properties as the unfoamed and commercial grades while being up to 25 wt.% lighter, up to 37% less expensive, and up to 50 wt.% greener.

Online publication date: Mon, 30-Apr-2018

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