GB2278365A - Moulding composition containing fibrous organic material - Google Patents
Moulding composition containing fibrous organic material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2278365A GB2278365A GB9409769A GB9409769A GB2278365A GB 2278365 A GB2278365 A GB 2278365A GB 9409769 A GB9409769 A GB 9409769A GB 9409769 A GB9409769 A GB 9409769A GB 2278365 A GB2278365 A GB 2278365A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- organic material
- plastics
- moulding composition
- moulding
- composition
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 62
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl chloride Chemical compound ClC=C BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- KRGNPJFAKZHQPS-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloroethene;ethene Chemical group C=C.ClC=C KRGNPJFAKZHQPS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001083 polybutene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 244000046052 Phaseolus vulgaris Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000010627 Phaseolus vulgaris Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 240000004713 Pisum sativum Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000010582 Pisum sativum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000016383 Zea mays subsp huehuetenangensis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000009973 maize Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000008694 Humulus lupulus Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 244000025221 Humulus lupulus Species 0.000 claims 1
- 240000006240 Linum usitatissimum Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000004431 Linum usitatissimum Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 240000007594 Oryza sativa Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000007164 Oryza sativa Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 235000004426 flaxseed Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 235000009566 rice Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 7
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000426 Microplastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000000748 compression moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 240000005979 Hordeum vulgare Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007340 Hordeum vulgare Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000209504 Poaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000209140 Triticum Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000021307 Triticum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920006397 acrylic thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002274 desiccant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003063 flame retardant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000227 grinding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009787 hand lay-up Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008240 homogeneous mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tert-butyl prop-2-enoate Chemical compound CC(C)(C)OC(=O)C=C ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001988 toxicity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000419 toxicity Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000007666 vacuum forming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L1/00—Compositions of cellulose, modified cellulose or cellulose derivatives
- C08L1/08—Cellulose derivatives
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/7461—Combinations of dissimilar mixers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/82—Heating or cooling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/86—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations for working at sub- or superatmospheric pressure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/88—Adding charges, i.e. additives
- B29B7/90—Fillers or reinforcements, e.g. fibres
- B29B7/905—Fillers or reinforcements, e.g. fibres with means for pretreatment of the charges or fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/88—Adding charges, i.e. additives
- B29B7/90—Fillers or reinforcements, e.g. fibres
- B29B7/92—Wood chips or wood fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B9/00—Making granules
- B29B9/12—Making granules characterised by structure or composition
- B29B9/14—Making granules characterised by structure or composition fibre-reinforced
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L101/00—Compositions of unspecified macromolecular compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L97/00—Compositions of lignin-containing materials
- C08L97/02—Lignocellulosic material, e.g. wood, straw or bagasse
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B9/00—Making granules
- B29B9/16—Auxiliary treatment of granules
- B29B2009/163—Coating, i.e. applying a layer of liquid or solid material on the granule
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/30—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/34—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/38—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B9/00—Making granules
- B29B9/02—Making granules by dividing preformed material
- B29B9/06—Making granules by dividing preformed material in the form of filamentary material, e.g. combined with extrusion
- B29B9/065—Making granules by dividing preformed material in the form of filamentary material, e.g. combined with extrusion under-water, e.g. underwater pelletizers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
Abstract
A moulding composition incorporates fibre in the form of fibrous organic material, such as straw or other plant material and plastics material which is compatible with the composition of the organic material, such as a polymer plastics material. The fibrous organic material is dried to a low moisture content and the organic material is reduced in size to eg less than about 8 mm in its maximum dimension before mixing with the plastics. The mixture is heated to a temperature at which the plastics becomes fluid and then cooled to yield the moulding composition, e.g. in the form of pellets.
Description
Moulding Composition
This invention relates to moulding compositions and in particular to compositions incorporating plastics material and fibre which is of use in machine moulding applications such as injection moulding, compression moulding and extrusion moulding processes.
It has been proposed to form moulding compositions by mixing fibres with thermo-plastics material. Such compositions have been used in thermoset plastics, such as are used in hand lay up moulding. Hitherto the fibres have been glass fibres, which are relatively expensive, and textile fibres formed into a mat, the fibres being effective in reinforcing the plastics material.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved moulding composition and a method of producing such composition for use in a machine moulding operation.
According to the invention a method of producing a moulding composition in which fibrous organic material, is dried to reduce the moisture content, the organic material is comminuted to a small size, the organic material is maintained in its dry condition and combined with a plastics material at an elevated temperature at which the plastics material becomes fluid, and the combined organic and plastics material is cooled to provide the moulding composition.
Preferably the organic material is dried until the moisture content is less than 4% and is preferably in the range 1 - 3%, or more particularly 1.5 - 2%. At dryness levels of less than about 1%, depending on the nature of the organic material, the material has a tendency to lose its fibrous qualities. At dryness levels above about 2 - 4%, depending on the organic material, the moisture released during heating of the mixture of plastics material and organic material turns into steam and must be released or a hazardous situation comes about.
Although the moisture may be vented from the mixture excessive moisture release can give rise to problems.
Hence it has been found important to maintain a close control of the moisture content of the organic material. Since dried organic material is often hygroscopic the dried material must be prevented from taking up significant moisture after drying and prior to mixing with the plastics material.
The maximum dimension of the fibre is preferably less than 8mm and more conveniently less than 6mm. The maximum dimension has to have regard to the size of the particles or pieces of the eventual moulding composition and should preferably be no greater than the maximum dimension of such pieces. The pieces are usually in the form of cylindrical pellets of, say, 6mm diameter and less than 6mm in length, preferably 2 - 4mm in length, and the pellets are conveniently formed by cutting continuous lengths of the composition as extruded through circular nozzles.
Before use of the moulding composition the composition should be dried to remove any moisture which has become associated therewith.
The plastics material with which the fibres are mixed should be of a kind capable of forming a homogeneous mix with the organic fibres which preferably contain cellulosic material.
Certain components of the organic material migrate into the plastics material to form the homogeneous composition and this generally occurs using a cellulosic or polymer plastics.
Acrylics and epoxy based plastics are not normally suitable.
Suitable plastics include polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, vinylchloride, vinylchloride ethylene, polybutene, polyester, ABS, nylon and polycarbonate. Such base plastics may be cross linked to produce the desired characteristics.
The invention also provides a moulding composition which comprises organic fibrous material such as straw, haulm, hay and other plant stems and leaf material in admixture with thermo-plastics material to form a homogeneous fibre reinforced plastics material.
The proportion of organic fibrous material to plastics depends on the desired characteristics of the moulding composition but can be in the range 5 - 70%, preferably 20 - 60%, fibrous material to plastics material by volume. Greater proportions may, however, be used for some moulding compositions, such as for making moulded board or sheet.
In drying the organic material to the low levels required it has been found that de-humidified air is conveniently drawn through the organic material until it reaches the desired moisture levels. It has been found that the addition of the plastics material to the organic material in proportion of, say, 10% plastic can improve the drying rate of the organic material. After drying the organic material should be kept dry by preventing its exposure to atmospheric air.
The fibrous organic material is often the byproduct of cereals growing or the production of other crops and the resulting straw, haulm, hay, etc., is reduced to the desired size by any convenient means such as by a hammer mill or by grinding. It is advantageous if the process of reducing the size of the organic material also breaks up the harder components of the organic material such as knuckles or joints in the straw.
Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawing which shows a schematic view of apparatus for making a moulding composition.
Referring to the drawing the apparatus is intended for preparing a moulding composition comprising fibrous organic material and plastics material.
The fibrous organic material may be selected from a range of materials having fibres such as straw (which may be wheat, barley or other cereal straw); the haulm of rape, maize, peas and beans; hay from various grasses; and other organic material; all of which include cellulose in various proportions. The plastics material may be any plastics material which has moulding properties and which is generally a cellulose polymer plastics material capable of forming a homogeneous mixture with cellulose based organic material.
By way of example the drawing shows the use of cereal straw 1 which is cut by a combine harvester 2 which separates the grain 2A from the straw 3. The straw is fed to a granulator 4 in the form of a grinder or hammer mill which reduces the fibrous material to size suited to the moulding requirements and having regard to the size of the pellets or other pieces of the moulding composition to be formed. Thus, if the pellets are to have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 4.5mm and a length of 2.5 -3.8mm the fibrous material should have a maximum length of about 3 - 6mm so that there is a reasonable chance of the organic material being encapsulated within the pellets. The granulator 4 may be located remote from the equipment for producing the composition in which case the fibrous material is conveniently bagged in porous sacks (not shown) for storage and transportation.
The comminuted straw passes into a silo 6 through a sieve 5 to prevent straw entering the silo 6 if it is above a predetermined size of, say, 6mm.
A further silo 7 is provided into which is discharged virgin plastic pellets and the plastic pellets and straw are mixed together by a mixer/proportioner 8 and fed into a mixer drum 9.
Mixed product from the mixer drum is discharged into a heated container 11 in which the organic material is dried. The container 11 is insulated and supplied with dry air from a dehumidifier 10. The de-humidifier 10 supplies air to the container 11 which has been de-humidified by passing the air through desiccant or by other means. Dry air is discharged towards the base of the container 11 and air is extracted from towards the upper end of the container 11 and passed through the de-humidifier in an air re-circulation arrangement.
By use of the de-humidifier the moisture content of the organic materials and plastics within the container is reduced to the desired level of, say, less than 4% moisture. A vacuum pump 11A is used to discharge the contents of the container towards a proportioner 13 which mixes the contents with a supply of virgin plastics from a hopper 12 in the desired ratio. From the proportioner 13 the organic material and plastics is discharged into a hopper 14 and at this point the organic material is in the ratio of 20 - 60% by volume of the mixture.
The hopper 14 feeds the mixture of organic material and plastics into an extruder barrel 15 which is heated and contains a screw 15B feeding the mixture towards an extrusion die 16. The extruder barrel contains vents 15A for venting to atmosphere gases or moisture contained within the mixture.
The contents of the extruder barrel are made fluid by the heat and the mixture is extruded through the die 16 which includes a plate with a plurality of circular holes.
The composition is extruded through the holes and may be cut as it leaves the die to form pellets. In this case the pellets are dropped down through a cascade of water mist into a centrifuge or other container. Alternatively, and as shown, the material extruded through the die forms a plurality of lengths in the form of spaghetti which are cooled in a water bath or underwater sprays (not shown). The lengths are fed into a pelletiser 18 which cuts the lengths into pellets of the desired length. The cut pellets are filled into sacks at a bag filler 19, the sacks being paper lined to discourage moisture pick up.
Drying of the organic material may be conducted in two stages, the first stage may be, for example, in a cyclone dryer bringing down the moisture content to a predetermined level of say 14% prior to introducing the organic material into the dehumidifier described. The drying process in the de-humidifier is enhanced by adding the plastics to the organic material in relatively low proportions prior to introduction into the dehumidifier. The dried organic material is of a hygroscopic nature and it is important to arrange for the dried material to be introduced into the extruder barrel 15 without it coming into contact with atmospheric air. For this purpose the vacuum pump IlA draws the material down through the proportioner and directly into the hopper 14.The presence of plastic helps to form a seal to prevent the organic material coming into contact with the atmosphere.
Before use of the pelletised moulding composition in a moulding process further drying of the pellets may take place to obtain a consistent moisture content throughout the moulding process. By achieving a consistent moisture content consistent characteristics from batch to batch of the mouldings can be achieved. The moulding composition produced by the method described is suitable for injection, compression and extrusion moulding processes. Extruded sheet compositions are suitable for vacuum forming or hot press forming for shaped moulded articles.
In forming the moulding composition the proportion of fibrous organic material to plastics material can be varied by controlling the rate of discharge of the components from the blender-proportioner 13 to the extruder 15. The fibrous material may by this means have a content of 10 - 70%, preferably 20 - 60%, by volume of the moulding composition thereby giving reinforcing properties to the composition and providing a relatively cheap component for the composition compared with other fibrous materials such as fibreglass or textile fibre.
The organic fibrous material is capable of improving the impact strength, tensile strength and/or ductility of moulded products made from the composition and the fibrous material has the effect of providing a homogeneous matrix by a chemical interaction with the plastic material due to the cellulose content of both components.
It has been found that mouldings made from the composition can be coated with fire retardant, when required, and in the event that the mouldings do catch fire a white smoke is produced giving reduced toxicity. The composition can also be used in producing foamed plastics. Materials based upon virgin cellulose polymer plastics of thermoplastic composition are recyclable and environmentally friendly.
Claims (23)
1. A method of producing a moulding composition in which
fibrous organic material is dried to reduce the moisture
content, the organic material is comminuted to a small
size, the organic material is maintained in its dry
condition and combined with a plastics material at an
elevated temperature at which the plastics material
becomes fluid, and the combined organic and plastics
material is cooled to provide the moulding composition.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the organic
material is dried to a moisture content of less then 4%
moisture.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the organic
material is dried until the moisture content is in the
range 1 - 3%.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the organic material is reduced to a size having
a maximum dimension of less than 8mm.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the organic material includes cellulosic
material.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the plastics material is compatible with the
composition of the organic material and is a cellulosic
plastics material.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the plastics material is selected from one or
more of polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene,
polystyrene, polyurethane, vinylchloride, vinylchloride
ethylene, polybutene, polyester, ABS, nylon and
polycarbonate.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the organic material comprises 5 - 70% of the
composition, by volume.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the organic
material comprises 20 - 60% of the composition, by
volume.
10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the organic material is dried by passing de
humidified air through the material.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the organic
material is dried after adding plastics material in
particulate form to the organic material.
12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims in
which the heated, fluid plastics material combined with
the organic material is extruded, cooled and formed into
pellets.
13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims
wherein the organic material is comminuted to reduce its
size in a grinder or hammer mill.
14. A moulding composition formed by the method according to
any one of claim 1 to 13 comprising fibrous organic
material combined with a plastics material, the plastics
material being compatible with the composition of the
organic material and the organic material being of small
size having a maximum dimension of less than 8mm.
15. A moulding composition according to claim 14 in which the
moisture content of the organic material is less than 4%.
16. A moulding composition according to claim 14 or 15
wherein the organic material has a maximum dimension of
less than 6mm.
17. A moulding composition according to any one of claims 14
to 16 wherein the plastic material is a cellulosic
plastic.
18. A moulding composition according to any one of the claims
14 to 17 wherein the fibrous organic material contains
cellulose and is compatible with polymer plastics.
19. A moulding composition according to any one of claims 14
to 18 in the form of pellets of cylindrical shape and
having a length of less than 8mm.
20. A moulding composition according to any one of claims 14
to 19 wherein the plastics material is selected from
polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene,
polystyrene, polyurethane, vinylchloride, vinylchloride
ethylene, polybutene, polyester, ABS, nylon and
polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.
21. A moulding composition according to any one of claims 14
to 20 wherein the fibrous organic material is straw,
grass, rape, linseed, vines, hops, maize, peas, beans,
rice straw or any combination thereof.
22. A method of producing a moulding composition
substantially as described with reference to the
description.
23. A moulding composition for machine moulding purposes
substantially as described.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939309917A GB9309917D0 (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-05-14 | Moulding composition |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9409769D0 GB9409769D0 (en) | 1994-07-06 |
| GB2278365A true GB2278365A (en) | 1994-11-30 |
| GB2278365B GB2278365B (en) | 1997-10-15 |
Family
ID=10735447
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939309917A Pending GB9309917D0 (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-05-14 | Moulding composition |
| GB9409769A Expired - Fee Related GB2278365B (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1994-05-16 | Moulding compositions containing fibres and plastics material |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939309917A Pending GB9309917D0 (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-05-14 | Moulding composition |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6654594A (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9309917D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994026491A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000005294A1 (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 2000-02-03 | Ravachol Andre | Thermoplastic material containing hemp fibres |
| ES2154149A1 (en) * | 1998-05-27 | 2001-03-16 | Serveis De Produccio Empresari | Transport system for polypropylene granules used for extruding sheets, includes filter mesh at mill exit and the addition of wood prior to screening |
| EP1142958A1 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2001-10-10 | Enviro Concept Ltd. | A plant fiber composite material, its products and a processing method thereof |
| WO2001094094A1 (en) * | 2000-06-07 | 2001-12-13 | Epiplast Sa | Composite thermoplastic material, and method and installation for making same |
| WO2001072904A3 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2002-05-16 | Enviro Concept Ltd | A plant composite material, its processing and use |
| US6624217B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2003-09-23 | Wang You Tong | Plant fiber composite material, its products and a processing method thereof |
| WO2005087467A1 (en) * | 2004-03-14 | 2005-09-22 | Horst Korger | Three-dimensional structure consisting of natural fibers in the form of matting, panels, hollow bodies, molded parts or the like. |
| WO2006001717A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2006-01-05 | New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited | Method for producing wood fibre pellets |
| WO2008151610A1 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2008-12-18 | Ava Anhaltinische Verfahrens- Und Analagentechnik Gmbh | Method for producing a wood-plastic composite material |
| EP3377562A4 (en) * | 2015-11-17 | 2019-07-17 | Stora Enso Oyj | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING FIBER-POLYMER COMPOSITES |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2178036C (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 2008-09-09 | Kasyap V. Seethamraju | Advanced compatible polymer wood fiber composite |
| IT201900003565A1 (en) * | 2019-03-12 | 2020-09-12 | Mixcycling Srl | PROCEDURE FOR MAKING COMPOUNDS USING WASTE OF NATURAL ORIGIN AND FIBERS OF VEGETABLE OR ANIMAL ORIGIN |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB213016A (en) * | 1922-12-30 | 1924-03-27 | Columbia Graphophone Mfg Co | Improvements in thermoplastic compositions and the process of compounding the same |
| GB1445939A (en) * | 1973-12-07 | 1976-08-11 | Hitsubishi Petrochemical Co Lt | Polyolefin composition |
| US4144304A (en) * | 1975-08-29 | 1979-03-13 | Solvay & Cie | Process for the manufacture of sheets from a mixture of vegetable fibres and polyolefine |
| US4279790A (en) * | 1979-07-05 | 1981-07-21 | Kabushiki Kaisha Mikuni Seisakusho | Composite material compositions using wasterpaper and method of producing same |
| EP0540026A1 (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1993-05-05 | Montell North America Inc. | Polyolefin compositions and process for their preparation |
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| DE3021455C2 (en) * | 1980-06-06 | 1987-01-02 | Bison-Werke Bähre & Greten GmbH & Co KG, 3257 Springe | Manufacturing process for materials made of particles with a surface having a wax layer |
| JPS60192744A (en) * | 1984-03-13 | 1985-10-01 | Sekisui Chem Co Ltd | Molded article of vinyl chloride resin and molding method |
| CN1003845B (en) * | 1987-04-15 | 1989-04-12 | 吉林省白城地区农业科学研究所 | Artificial wood products made of sunflower stalks |
| US4746688A (en) * | 1987-05-21 | 1988-05-24 | Ford Motor Company | Remoldable, wood-filled acoustic sheet |
| JPH01230672A (en) * | 1988-03-10 | 1989-09-14 | Kyuzo Yamaoka | Production of molding material which can produce grainy pattern |
| GB2235645B (en) * | 1989-09-08 | 1993-05-19 | Agrifibre Dev Ltd | Method and apparatus for press moulding articles |
| GB2244059A (en) * | 1990-05-16 | 1991-11-20 | Fosse Ltd | Cellulosic product, process for the production thereof and uses thereof |
-
1993
- 1993-05-14 GB GB939309917A patent/GB9309917D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-05-12 WO PCT/GB1994/001028 patent/WO1994026491A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1994-05-12 AU AU66545/94A patent/AU6654594A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-05-16 GB GB9409769A patent/GB2278365B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB213016A (en) * | 1922-12-30 | 1924-03-27 | Columbia Graphophone Mfg Co | Improvements in thermoplastic compositions and the process of compounding the same |
| GB1445939A (en) * | 1973-12-07 | 1976-08-11 | Hitsubishi Petrochemical Co Lt | Polyolefin composition |
| US4144304A (en) * | 1975-08-29 | 1979-03-13 | Solvay & Cie | Process for the manufacture of sheets from a mixture of vegetable fibres and polyolefine |
| US4279790A (en) * | 1979-07-05 | 1981-07-21 | Kabushiki Kaisha Mikuni Seisakusho | Composite material compositions using wasterpaper and method of producing same |
| EP0540026A1 (en) * | 1991-10-31 | 1993-05-05 | Montell North America Inc. | Polyolefin compositions and process for their preparation |
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2154149A1 (en) * | 1998-05-27 | 2001-03-16 | Serveis De Produccio Empresari | Transport system for polypropylene granules used for extruding sheets, includes filter mesh at mill exit and the addition of wood prior to screening |
| WO2000005294A1 (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 2000-02-03 | Ravachol Andre | Thermoplastic material containing hemp fibres |
| WO2001072904A3 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2002-05-16 | Enviro Concept Ltd | A plant composite material, its processing and use |
| US6624217B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2003-09-23 | Wang You Tong | Plant fiber composite material, its products and a processing method thereof |
| EP1142958A1 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2001-10-10 | Enviro Concept Ltd. | A plant fiber composite material, its products and a processing method thereof |
| WO2001094094A1 (en) * | 2000-06-07 | 2001-12-13 | Epiplast Sa | Composite thermoplastic material, and method and installation for making same |
| FR2809985A1 (en) * | 2000-06-07 | 2001-12-14 | Epiplast S A | Composite thermoplastic material is produced by a screw extruder charged with a mixture of plastics granules and vegetable particles to give the required strength and reinforcement at lower costs |
| WO2005087467A1 (en) * | 2004-03-14 | 2005-09-22 | Horst Korger | Three-dimensional structure consisting of natural fibers in the form of matting, panels, hollow bodies, molded parts or the like. |
| WO2006001717A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2006-01-05 | New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited | Method for producing wood fibre pellets |
| US9511508B2 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2016-12-06 | New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited | Method for producing wood fibre pellets |
| US10150227B2 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2018-12-11 | New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited | Method for producing wood fibre pellets |
| WO2008151610A1 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2008-12-18 | Ava Anhaltinische Verfahrens- Und Analagentechnik Gmbh | Method for producing a wood-plastic composite material |
| EP3377562A4 (en) * | 2015-11-17 | 2019-07-17 | Stora Enso Oyj | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING FIBER-POLYMER COMPOSITES |
| US11331830B2 (en) | 2015-11-17 | 2022-05-17 | Stora Enso Oyj | Process for producing fiber-polymer composites |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2278365B (en) | 1997-10-15 |
| AU6654594A (en) | 1994-12-12 |
| WO1994026491A1 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
| GB9309917D0 (en) | 1993-06-30 |
| GB9409769D0 (en) | 1994-07-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20030516 |