Die Angewandte Makromolekulare Chemie · 1999 · 149 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceBiomaterialsPolymer MaterialsStructural MaterialsBio-based MaterialsComposite MaterialsFiber-reinforced CompositesPolymer CompositesPolymer-matrix CompositesThermosetsBio-based CompositesBiobased CompositesFilament WindingFlame RetardantsFlax FibersNatural Fiber Reinforced CompositesThermoplastic BiopolymersThermoplastic Construction Materials
FRP, originating from aerospace, are widely used because of their high strength, stiffness, low weight, and the ability to orient fibers along load paths. To address environmental concerns of conventional composites, the DLR Institute developed a concept of embedding natural fibers such as flax, hemp, and ramie into biopolymeric matrices. These biocomposites are engineered to be compatible with standard manufacturing processes, including pressing, injection moulding, filament winding, BMC, and SMC. They achieve mechanical properties comparable to glass‑fiber reinforced plastics, can replace GFRP in most cases, and are suitable for lightweight structural parts and curved paneling in automotive, rail, and aerospace applications.
Originally coming from aerospace technology, fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) are successfully used for various applications because of their excellent specific properties, e. g. high strength and stiffness, low weight and the potential of optimisation by orientating (esp. continuous) fibres along the load paths. In order to successfully meet the environmental problems of these classic composites, the DLR Institute of Structural Mechanics developed an innovative idea in 1989: By embedding natural and near natural reinforcing fibres, e. g. flax, hemp, ramie, cellulose etc., into a biopolymeric matrix from cellulose, starch or lactic acid derivatives, etc. (thermoplastics as well as thermosets), new fibre reinforced materials, called biocomposites, were created and are still being developed. In terms of mechanical properties being comparable to glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP), latest developments on new fibre/matrix combinations and environmentally compatible flame retardants enable biocomposites to replace GFRP in most cases. Biocomposites are designed to meet the processing requirements for commonly used manufacturing techniques, e. g. pressing, injection moulding, filament winding, BMC, SMC etc. Apart from anisotropic and specially tailored lightweight structural parts with continuous fibre reinforcements, biocomposites are very well suited for panelling elements in cars, railways and aeroplanes, etc., using different kinds of nonwovens from single fibres (needlefelt nonwovens, fleeces, etc.) to be easily adapted to the usually curved shapes of panellings, fairings, etc.