ReCeFa - Development of a new, fiber-reinforced composite material made from recycled cellulose fibers in combination with (bio) polymers or recycled plastics

In collaboration with the companies Oberpfälzer Kunststofftechnik and Barthmann Recycling, the IfBB of the Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts intends to develop a new and innovative composite material made from (bio-)polymers and recycled cellulose fibers that can be processed by injection molding. The aim is to achieve a reinforcing effect by using biodegradable cellulose fibers with lengths of around 2 mm, which lead similar to the addition of glass or carbon fibers to an improvement in the stiffness and / or tensile strength of the composite material. For this purpose, a process is being developed that gently compounds the cellulose fibers, among other things in bio-based matrix materials. Moldflow simulations are also carried out to predict the behavior of the cellulose fibers or the melted compounds in injection molding. This enables the development of an injection molding process for optimal processing of the new composite material. Furthermore, a 2-component injection molding process for the new composite material is being developed, which enables more application possibilities.

Project summary

  • Project title: ReCeFa - Development of a new, fiber-reinforced composite material made from recycled cellulose fibers with lengths of around 2 mm, in combination with (bio) polymers or recycled plastics as well as the necessary compounding and injection molding processes
  • Project title of the IfBB sub-project: Development of innovative long fiber cellulose formulations based on bio-based raw materials and additives, characterization of the developed long fiber cellulose compounds through mechanical tests as well as thermal and rheological analyzes
  • Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
  • Sponsorship: AiF Projekt GmbH
  • Project management: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andrea Siebert-Raths
  • Project responsible: Anna Dörgens, M. Sc., Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andrea Siebert-Raths
  • Project partners: Oberpfälzer Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Barthmann Recycling GmbH
  • Duration: 01.10.2019 - 30.09.2022

 

Contact

Anna Dörgens, M. Sc., anna.doergens@hs-hannover.de