Title: State-of-the-art for extrusion and injection moulding FPC: natural Fibre Plastics Composites in Brazil

Authors: A.L. Leao, P.C. Ferrao, S.F. Souza

Addresses: Department of Natural Resources, College of Agricultural Sciences (FCA), UNESP – Sao Paulo State University, P.O. Box 237, Botucatu, SP 18 603–970, Brazil. ' IST – Instituto Superior Tecnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. ' Department of Natural Resources, College of Agricultural Sciences (FCA), UNESP – Sao Paulo State University P.O. Box 237, Botucatu, SP 18 603–970, Brazil

Abstract: Environmental and economical concerns are stimulating research of new materials for construction, furniture, packaging and automotive industries. Particularly attractive are the new materials. This paper presents results about the properties of composites of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polypropylene (PP) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with natural fibres. The composites were prepared through the extrusion with natural fibres, in an ratio of 30% by weight. The quality of samples was tested utilising injection moulded samples, according to ASTM standards. Results showed that natural fibres can act as an excellent reinforcing material, resulting in low cost composites and improving economical and ecological interests.

Keywords: natural fibres; fibre-reinforced composites; curaua; sisal; polyhydroxybutyrate; plastics; extrusion; injection moulding; biocomposites; polypropylene; high density polyethylene.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.027826

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.36 No.1/2/3/4, pp.134 - 154

Published online: 12 Aug 2009 *

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