3D biocomposites for automotive interior parts

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The interest and development of composites making use of natural fibers, aimed for automotive applications, is growing from a long- term sustainable perspective. A prime reason for selecting natural fibers for new products is that the net contribution to the greenhouse effect is minimal. Equally important is their low weight compared to glass fibers and their positive effect on crash management. Based on an advantageous cost/performance ratio, natural fiber based composites have been in use for quite a few years in automotive interior applications. Well-known examples are door panels based on flax/sisal fibers and polymeric binders like polypropylene (thermoplastic) or polyurethane/epoxy/polyester/phenolic (thermoset). A problem is that the polymeric binder (20-50% by weight) is based on a non- renewable resource, namely crude oil, and that material recycling is difficult and costly even if a thermoplastic binder is used and that energy recovery is not accepted as recycling at the time being. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of producing a biodegradable composite using Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP) plasticized wi...