3D biocomposites for automotive interior parts

Abstract: 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 with TriEthyl Citrate (TEC) as binder matrix polymer in natural
fiber based composites aimed for automotive interior applications.