JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #102 - January/February 2016 - 26

natural fibres

Fig. 5: Shape and main dimensions of the Pegasus
tool
Tab. 2:Materials moulded and their respective
densities

Fig. 7: Deflection and Von Mises stress

Material

Density (g/cm3)

PP-SGF 30

1.14

reSound RS5200-5003 NF

1.06

Ready for a change?

PP-SGF 20

1.05

reSound RS5200-5005 NF

1.02

Following a rigorous innovation process,
advanced material and manufacturing
technologies have been combined to create
a solution that offers the required property
profile with a low specific gravity. The result
- the reSound NF natural fibre-reinforced
solutions - is a highly engineered, strong and
sustainable alternative to glass fibre-reinforced
formulations, with densities 5 to 10% lower
than comparable glass fibre formulations.

flexural configurations (Fig. 6). For the
Pegasus parts, the tensile tests were performed at 23°C and 110°C, while the flexural
tests were performed at 23°C only.
The tests confirmed that reSound NF 40
has a similar modulus as the comparable
PP-SGF 30 grades. Strength was measured
based on force at break, and here again
the parts moulded from the reSound NF
solution performed as well as the PP-SGF
ones. As a reminder, reSound NF solutions
have a 5 to 10% lower density compared to
equivalent SGF materials. Similar conclusions were made based on tensile testing,
especially at 110°C, a demanding temperature for polyolefins.
CAE simulations (Fig. 7) were carried out
at PolyOne's innovation centre in order to
reproduce the test conditions and failure
modes with the Pegasus geometry. The re-

Fig. 6: Flexural testing set-up for the ICT beam

sults of the simulations were consistent with
the laboratory tests.

Compared to other natural fibre-reinforced
solutions, reSound NF compounds offer
mechanical property improvements of more
than 20% for tensile and flexural properties,
10 to 20°C higher heat deflection temperatures, and more than 50% higher impact
strength (Fig. 8).
Customers can process the reSound NF
solutions on existing machinery and tooling
- MuCell foaming technology included - at
low injection moulding temperatures, resulting in short cycle times. These new natural
fibre-reinforced polymer formulations enable automotive OEMs and their suppliers to
meet their lightweighting, sustainability, production efficiency and performance goals.
Key automotive OEMs are going through
their own internal evaluation processes to
qualify reSound NF solutions, combining
lab tests and physical tests on real parts.
Customers from non-automotive industries that value lightweighting and

26 jec composites magazine / No102 January - February 2016

Fig. 8: Parts moulded with reSound NF natural
fibre-reinforced solutions

sustainable solutions in technical applications can benefit from the reSound NF
formulations, too. Perhaps it is time for
your company to investigate the potential
of these new solutions. n
References and bibliography
[1] International Business Directory for
Innovative Bio-based Materials,
http://www.bio-based.eu/iBIB/ (2014)
[2] Nova-Institut, Market Study: "Wood-Plastic
Composites (WPC) and Natural Fibre Composites
(NFC): European and Global Markets 2012 and
Future Trends" (2012)
[3] Lena Scholz, Michael Carus: Entwicklung einer
industriellen Naturfaser-Pellet-Produktion zur
Nutzung von Naturfasern als Verstärkung von
(Bio-)Kunststoffen in Spritzguss und Extrusion
(2012)
[4] H. Ku, H. Wang, N. Pattarachaiyakoop and M.
Trada: A review on the tensile properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites (2011)
[5] Mehdi Tajvidi and Nazanin Motie, Ghonche
Rassam, Rober Th. Falk, Colin Felton: Mechanical
Performance of Hemp Fiber Polypropylene
Composites at Different Operating Temperatures
(2010)
[6] Yanjun Xie, Callum A.S. Hill, Zefang Xiao, Holger
Militz, Carsten Mai: Silane coupling agents used for
natural fiber/polymer composites: A review (2010)
[7] N.P.G. Suardana, Yingjun Piao, Jae Kyoo Lim:
Mechanical properties of hemp fibers and hemp/
pp composites: effects of chemical surface treatment (2010)
[8] K. L. Pickering, Y.Li, R. L. Farrell and M. Lay:
Interfacial Modification of Hemp Fiber Reinforced
Composites Using Fungal and Alkali Treatment
(2007)

More information:
www.polyone.com

http://www.bio-based.eu/iBIB/ http://www.polyone.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #102 - January/February 2016