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Extrusion Foaming of Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Monday, November 9, 2009: 4:30 PM
Cheekwood H (Gaylord Opryland Hotel)

Takashi Kuboki, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Ryohei Koyama, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
John W. S. Lee, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Chul B. Park, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jingjing Zhang, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Qingfeng Wu, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Mohini Sain, Center for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

The paper investigates the effect of fiber content on foaming behaviour of cellulose fiber reinforced polypropylene composites in extrusion. Two types of polypropylene (linear and branched structures) are used as a polymer matrix. Cellulose fibre, polypropylene, and maleated polypropylene are melt-blended using a twin-screw extruder. Thermal behavior of the composites was characterized by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) while the viscosity of the composites is evaluated by a rotational and extensional rheometer. Foaming behaviour of the composites is examined using an extrusion foaming system, in which a blowing agent used is a physical blowing agent. Foam density and cell density are characterized for the foamed composites. We discuss the effects of molecular structure of polypropylene and fiber content on foaming behaviour of the composites as well as thermal and rehological properties.
Extended Abstract: File Uploaded
See more of this Session: Biobased Materials - III
See more of this Group/Topical: Forest and Plant Bioproducts Division