Fibre/compatibilizers

The aim of this paper is to present the different properties of polysaccharide composites obtained by the introduction of cellulose fibres, varying in length and content, into plasticized wheat starch. We have used LDPE-based composites as reference, because without compatibilizer, the LDPE-fibres interactions are usually considered as very poor. To highlight the interactions developed between cellulose and starch, we have compared both kinds of composites. Finally, we have evaluated the post-processing ageing of TPS compared to some other systems. 

Since the early 2000s, plant-derived biobased fibrous fillers have been frequently used for the reinforcement of PLA-based materials. A well known and frequently used plant-derived fibrous filler is kenaf. Like the case of pollen as an additive, the wettability between PLLA and kenaf should be improved by the addition of a compatibilizer. Other fibrous materials are cellulose fibrous materials or fibres [383,384], cellulose whiskers [385], recycled cellulose fibre [386], cotton fibre [387], sugar beet pulp [388], flax [389], bamboo fibre [390], kenaf [391-393], papyrus [394], hemp fibre [395], cuphea and lesquerella [396], ramie [397], rice straw fibre [398], red algae fibre [399], miscanthus fibre [400], abaca fibre [401], milkweed [402], wood fibre [403] and recycled newspaper fibre [404], Poly(L-lactic acid) fibre can also be used to reinforce soft plastics such as PCL [405],... 

The treatment of wood fibres with isocyanate-bearing molecules and their incorporation into polyethylene were also recently studied [44]. In particular, the use of poly-(diphenylmethane diisocyanate) (XV) increased both the modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the ensuing composites. The use of stearic anhydride (XVI) as a novel compatibilizer further improved both MOR and MOE and enhanced the water resistance of the composites. 

M. Pracella, D. Chionna, I. Anguillesi, Z. Kulinski, and E. Piorkowska, Functionalization, compatibilization and properties of polypropylene composites with Hemp fibres. Compos. Sci. Technol. 66(13), 2218-2230 (2006). 

Polyester fibre does not specifically feature in thermoplastics compounds at present, but there has been some interesting work reported (by DSM). compatibilizing thermoplastic polyesters to accept polyester fibre as a reinforcement, which might greatly simplify the recycling of fabric-covered automobile interior panels (if they were moulded in polyester in the first place). 

New technology for reinforcing ABS with long fibres has been developed by Dow Plastics. It is described as Vitamins (because it can be introduced in the feed hopper of a plastics processing machine) and involves the use of a thermoplastic polyurethane as a compatibilizer between the glass and the ABS matrix (for it has good compatibility with both). 

The properties of commodity and engineering thermoplastics can be boosted by compounding with mineral fibres and a special compatibilizer, report two Dutch companies, Bennet BV and Lapinus Fibres BV. Polyolefins (HDPE and PP copolymer) and polyamide 6 have been successfully upgraded with 35 and 2 5% respective addition of Rockfil fibres and Bennet compatibilizer. Tests in conjunction with injection moulder Heudijk Kunststoffen BV and masterbatch producer Curver Colour Department indicated that mechanical, stability and processability properties are improved, with improved heat distortion and FR performance, good surface finish and recyclability. 

The increase of HV content, the addition of compatibilizers and the rise of fibre content on PHA-based composites influenced the mechanical performance of the corresponding biocomposites. 

Several proteins have been extensively studied for their materials applications. Among them, soy protein is one of the most popular. Indeed, since the early 1930s it was used in phenol-formaldehyde blends for automotive applications. However, soy protein is sensitive to moisture and exhibits relatively low strength properties. Thus stabilization by plasticization, compatibilization or crosslinkage is required to maintain long-term performance of soy protein-based plastic materials. Also, several studies on soy protein-based blends with other natural polymers or their reinforcement by natural fibres have been performed. More recently studies on soy protein-nanoclay composites and polyfbutylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were also performed. 

Rana, A.K., Mandal, A., and Bandyopadhyay, S. (2003) Short jute fibre reinforced polypropylene composites effect of compatibilizer, impact modifier and fibre loading. Compos. Sci. Technol, 63, 801-806. 

W. Luo, Z. Wang, C. Yuan, Y. Wu, and Z. Tang, Reactive compatibilization of wood fibre/HDPE composites and its mechanism. Fuhe Cailiao Xuebao/Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica 31 (1), 125-32 (2014). 

Tserki V, Matzinos P and Panayiotou C (2003), Effect of compatibilization on the performance of biodegradable composites using cotton fibre waste as filler , J Appl... 

---