Difference between revisions of "Biocomposite processing"

Biocomposite processing is secondary processes where a composite material is formed by a matrix (resin) and a reinforcement of natural fibers or filling with other biomass-based materials like wood dust, agricultural wastes or sidestreams from food processing like nutshells or rice husks. In principal the matrix can be a bio-based or a petro-nased resin, but normally polymers like polypropylene, polyethylene or epoxys are used as matrix material.

In the compounding process the matrix materials are melted and then mixed with fillers, plasticisers, additives and fibres to a homogenous formulate that can be given into a screw extruder. This produces an extrudate that will be cooled down in a water bath and then cutted into composite granules. The granules can be used to produce several types of products e.g. by injection moulding or other material processing technologies.