Development of process parameters for the production of NFRP compounds with fiber residues in a targeted manner

Reducing humanity's dependence on products made from petrochemical polymers can be achieved by improving and strengthening bio-based polymers. Wood plastic composites (WPC) have been around for some time, but wood as a resource is now also to be conserved. The substitution of wood flour in natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFRP ) with fibrous materials from regional agricultural residues was investigated in this work. In order to develop the process parameters, the fiber properties such as bulk density, dosability, visual fiber characterization and particle size distribution were first determined and preferred variants were selected using our own evaluation matrix. These were compounded with a conventional(PP) and a bio-thermoplastic(PLA) and tested using a tensile test . The evaluation of the mechanical properties showed that the fibers used are suitable as fillers for the substitution of wood flour, but do not contribute to the reinforcement of these compounds, as their fiber lengths were too short for this.