A comparison of processing and performance for lignocellulosic reinforced polypropylene for injection moulding applications

Using various reinforcements to tailor plastics properties to specific needs is a widespread approach in the plastics industry. Due to ecological considerations, natural reinforcements like wood particles or natural fibres have been investigated due to their reinforcing potential, but are usually not discussed in terms of processability. Therefore, the aim of this work is to compare a selected processing pathway for lignocellulosic reinforcements in terms of processability and composite properties. Composites were produced via compounding on a co-rotating twin screw extruder and injection moulding. Materials properties like tensile strength and modulus were assessed, as well as the processing specific properties were recorded. We found, that wood particles show a very good ratio between processability and properties, while sisal fibres outperform the other reinforcements in terms of mechanical properties due to their fibrous shape, but also using reinforcements like milled rice husks in composites can be feasible, especially when wood is not a locally available resource.