Wood and pulp giant Weyerhaeuser says it has figured out how to make a thermoplastic composite using engineered cellulose fiber from trees, instead of the short glass fibers usually used for reinforcement. Applications for the material include automotive parts and industrial components.
The composite, called THRIVE, is targeted at low-load applications such as office furniture, consumer appliances, kitchenware, and household goods, in addition to car parts. According to the company, compared to composites made with short glass fibers, or natural fibers like sisal, hemp, and kenaf, the new material has several advantages.
A new thermoplastic composite uses engineered cellulose fiber from trees, such as these logs in Kuopio, Finland, instead of the short glass fibers usually used for reinforcement. Applications include automotive parts and industrial components. (Source: Wikimedia Commons/Okko Pyykkö)
Injection-molding cycle times are up to 40 percent shorter than composites made with glass fibers, since the new material requires shorter pack-and-hold and cooling times. Mass is also reduced, since cellulose fiber is 40 percent less dense. Finished parts are up to 8 percent lighter. Short glass fibers are highly abrasive and hard on processing equipment, so cellulose fiber composites can reduce wear and tear. The composite's mechanical properties are similar, including tensile strength and flexural strength.
Several different composites have been made with natural fibers, including coconut fibers instead of traditional ceramic fibers in biocomposite tiles. The natural fibers improve the composite's strength and stiffness, and reduce their weight. Compared to an engineered material such as THRIVE, composites made with natural fibers can vary in quality from one batch to another. They also don't readily absorb dyes. In contrast, the new material easily absorbs dyes and demonstrates consistent performance characteristics between batches.
"THRIVE products offer excellent flowability and thin-section fill, providing manufacturers with considerable design flexibility," says Don Atkinson, Vice President, Marketing and New Products for Weyerhaeuser's Cellulose Fibers business, in a press release. He goes on to say:
In addition, THRIVE composites are produced using a proprietary process that allows control of the dispersion of cellulose fibers within the polymer matrix. This allows for a smooth surface finish, which opens up new opportunities for the use of natural fibers in composite plastics. Conversely, if manufacturers prefer the fibers to be visible, they have that option as well."
The cellulose fiber is sourced partly from some of Weyerhaeuser's 20 million acres of forestland, which the company manages to third-party sustainability standards. Weyerhaeuser expects to produce the composite using its pulp manufacturing facilities. The material is provided as cellulose blended with polypropylene, with both high and low melt flow indices. It is available in both ready-to-mold thermoplastic pellets for molders, and in a masterbatch form for custom compounders.
The ratio of cellulose fiber to polymer in the composite can be changed to modify product strength and flexibility. From 10 percent to 40 percent, THRIVE cellulose fibers can be pre-blended with 60 percent to 90 percent of either virgin or pre-consumer recycled polypropylene. (Pre-consumer recycled is after manufacture but without consumer use, such as manufacturing waste byproducts.) The fibers can also be blended with ABS, PVC, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or PLA and other biopolymers. Weyerhaeuser says it plans to expand the THRIVE line of products beyond polypropylene to include hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon polymers.
Ann, this looks like a great use of material. Glass fibers do tend to eat machinery and molds in normal application, so a less abrasive fiber would be great. Has there been any look at using these fibers in nylon applications? Also, is the cost of the additive similar to that of the glass fibers?
Ann, ne thing I like about this product is that it is produced by materials we have naturally here in the US. With materials such as coconut, grow in a fairly narrow band of the planet. This tends to cause overharvesting in areas with low environmental controls.
Hmm, 40% shorter mold times, comparable weight and material properties, less tooling damage during manufacturing, and blendability with a variety of plastic base material. What's not to like about the new THRIVE?
I agree with the flammability issue and the possible overharvesting of dwindling resources. Still, it seems to be a good idea.
Tim, no info on fiber cost was given, but considering Weyerhauser's main business--wood pulp--I'd guess it's likely to be less than glass. Re "use in nylon applications," what exactly do you mean?
tekochip, that's a good point about flammability. The fact that Ford is working with Weyerhaeuser to develop materials for car interiors, plus the fact that these are engineered, not just natural, fibers, makes me think that potential problem may have already been addressed/compensated for. Here's a link to the MSDS for THRIVE, which gives a rating of 1 (0-4 scale): www.weyerhaeuser.com/pdfs/msds/501.pdf
TJ, since this is a composite, the fibers are surrounded by a polymer matrix (polypropylene at this point in time), so I doubt if water absorption is a problem.
Nice article, Ann. This sounds positive all the way around. With cycle times 40 percent shorter, there are probably some cost savings. Does the material itself also offer some cost savings.
Rob, we didn't get info on the fiber/glass cost differential, but considering that Weyerhauser's main business is wood pulp and wood products, I'd guess it's probably cheaper than glass.
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