Showing papers on "Natural fiber published in 2002"

Chemical modification of hemp, sisal, jute, and kapok fibers by alkalization

Abstract: Plant fibers are rich in cellulose and they are a cheap, easily renewable source of fibers with the potential for polymer reinforcement. The presence of surface impurities and the large amount of hydroxyl groups make plant fibers less attractive for reinforcement of polymeric materials. Hemp, sisal, jute, and kapok fibers were subjected to alkalization by using sodium hydroxide. The thermal characteristics, crystallinity index, reactivity, and surface morphology of untreated and chemically modified fibers have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Following alkalization the DSC showed a rapid degradation of the cellulose between 0.8 and 8% NaOH, beyond which degradation was found to be marginal. There was a marginal drop in the crystallinity index of hemp fiber while sisal, jute, and kapok fibers showed a slight increase in crystallinity at caustic soda concentration of 0.8–30%. FTIR showed that kapok fiber was found to be the most reactive followed by jute, sisal, and then hemp fiber. SEM showed a relatively smooth surface for all the untreated fibers; however, after alkalization, all the fibers showed uneven surfaces. These results show that alkalization modifies plant fibers promoting the development of fiber–resin adhesion, which then will result in increased interfacial energy and, hence, improvement in the mechanical and thermal stability of the composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2222–2234, 2002

Analysis of the flax fibres tensile behaviour and analysis of the tensile stiffness increase

Abstract: The knowledge of the behaviour of flax fibres is of crucial importance for their use as a reinforcement for composites materials. Flax fibres were tested under tensile loading and in repeated loading–unloading experiments. We have shown that fibre stiffness increases with the strain. This phenomenon is attributed to the orientation of the fibrils with the axis of the fibre when a strain occurs. By using micro-mechanical equations, the Young's modulus of a flax fibre is estimated by taking into account the composition of the fibre and the evolution of the orientation of the fibrils during a tensile test. A good agreement is found between experimental and calculated results. The origin of the large spread observed in the mechanical characteristics is analysed here.

Effects of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix hybrid composites

Abstract: Short bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites (BFRP) and short bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites (BGRP) were fabricated using a compression molding method. Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the adhesion between the reinforcements and the matrix material. By incorporating up to 20% (by mass) glass fiber, the tensile and flexural modulus of BGRP were increased by 12.5 and 10%, respectively; and the tensile and flexural strength were increased by 7 and 25%, respectively, compared to those of BFRP. Sorption behavior and effects of environmental aging on tensile properties of both BFRP and BGRP systems were studied by immersing samples in water for up to 1200 h at 25°C. Compared to BFRP, a 4% drop in saturated moisture level is seen in BGRP. After aging in water for 1200 h, reduction in tensile strength and modulus for BGRP is nearly two times less than that of BFRP. Use of MAPP as coupling agent in the polypropylene matrix results in decreased saturated moisture absorption level and enhanced mechanical properties for both BFRP and BGRP systems. Thus it is shown that the durability of bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene can be enhanced by hybridization with small amount of glass fibers.

Tensile and compressive properties of flax fibres for natural fibre reinforced composites

Abstract: Mechanical properties of standard decorticated and hand isolated flax bast fibres were determined in tension as well as in compression. The tensile strength of technical fibre bundles was found to depend strongly on the clamping length. The tensile strength of elementary flax fibres was found to range between 1500 MPa and 1800 MPa, depending on the isolation procedure. The compressive strength of elementary flax fibres as measured with a loop test lies around 1200 MPa. However, the compressive strength can be lowered severely by the decortication process. The standard decortication process induces kink bands in the fibres. These kink bands are found to contain cracks bridged by microfibrils. The failure behaviour of elementary flax fibres under compression can be described as similar to the failure behaviour of a stranded wire.

Morphology and mechanical properties of unidirectional sisal-epoxy composites

Abstract: Plant fibers are of increasing interest for use in composite materials. They are renewable resources and waste management is easier than with glass fibers. In the present study, longitudinal stiffn ...

Novel applications of lignin in composite materials

Abstract: Some exploratory work was done to look at novel applications, such as filler use and comonomers, for lignin in thermosetting unsaturated polyesters and vinyl esters. The solubility of different lignins (pine kraft, hardwood, ethoxylated, and maleinated) was determined in different resin systems (acrylated epoxidized soybean oil, hydroxylated soybean oil, soy oil monoglyceride, and a commercial vinyl ester) to give an idea of the compatibility of lignin with the resin systems that were used. Further, the use of lignin as a filler was studied. An increase in the glass-transition temperature was noticed, and the modulus at 20°C decreased because of the plasticizing effect of lignin. The lignin was modified to improve its effect on the matrix properties by adding double bond functionality, thus making it possible to incorporate the lignin molecule in the resin through free-radical polymerization. Modified lignin was introduced in several resins by a reaction with maleic anhydride and epoxidized soybean oil and was tested for its effect on the solubility, glass-transition temperature, and modulus. This modification improved the solubility of lignin in styrene-containing resins, as well as the chemical incorporation of lignin in the resin. Moreover, lignin was used to treat the surfaces of natural hemp fibers to utilize lignin's natural affinity for cellulosic fibers. The idea was to cure the surface defects on the natural fibers and increase the bonding strength between the resin and fiber. An optimum improvement was noticed that depended on the amount of lignin covering the fibers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 323–331, 2002

Characterization of interfacial and mechanical properties of green composites with soy protein isolate and ramie fiber

Abstract: Environment-friendly fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated using ramie fibers and soy protein isolate (SPI) and were characterized for their interfacial and mechanical properties. Ramie fibers were characterized for their tensile properties and the parameters for the Weibull distribution were estimated. Effect of glycerol content on the tensile properties of SPI was studied. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was determined using the microbond technique. Based on the IFSS results and fiber strength distribution, three different fiber lengths and fiber weight contents (FWC) were chosen to fabricate short fiber-reinforced composites. The results indicate that the fracture stress increases with increase in fiber length and fiber weight content. Glycerol was found to increase the fracture strain and reduce the resin fracture stress and modulus as a result of plasticization. For 10% (w/w) of 5 mm long fibers, no significant reinforcement effect was observed. In fact the short fibers acted as flaws and led to reduction in the tensile properties. On further increasing the fiber length and FWC, a significant increase in the Young's modulus and fracture stress and decrease in fracture strain was observed as the fibers started to control the tensile properties of the composites. The experimental data were compared to the theoretical predictions made using Zweben's model. The experimental results are lower than the predicted values for a variety of reasons. However, the two values get closer with increasing fiber length and FWC.

Biodegradable polyester composites reinforced with short abaca fiber

Abstract: The mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co-3-hydroxyvarelate) (PHBV) composites, reinforced with short abaca fibers prepared by melt mixing and subsequent injection molding, were investigated and compared with PHBV composites reinforced with glass fiber (GF). The influences of fiber length, fiber content, and surface treatment of the natural fiber on the mechanical properties were evaluated. Regarding fiber length, the tensile properties had a maximum at a fiber length of about 5 mm. The flexural properties of the PHBV/abaca composite were improved by the surface treatment of abaca with butyric anhydride and pyridine for 5 h because of the increase of interfacial adhesiveness between the matrix polyester and the surface-esterified fiber, as is obvious from the SEM micrographs. The flexural and tensile properties of PHBV/treated abaca composite were comparable to those of PHBV/GF composite, except for tensile modulus, compared with the same weight fraction of fiber. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 129–138, 2002

Water sorption in oil palm fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites

Abstract: Water sorption kinetics in oil palm fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde (PF) composites and oil palm/glass hybrid fiber reinforced PF composites was investigated. The influence of fiber loading, relative volume fractions of fibers in hybrid composites and fiber surface modifications on the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of water sorption by the composites were also studied. Water sorption at four different temperatures was analysed and compared. Composite with 10 wt% fiber loading exhibits maximum water uptake. Hybridisation of the oil palm fiber with glass considerably decreased the water sorption by the composite. The concentration dependency of the diffusion coefficient was analysed and discussed.

Study of the thermal behavior of alkali‐treated jute fibers

Abstract: Jute fibers were treated with 5% NaOH solution for 2, 4, 6, and 8 h to study the performance of the fibers as a reinforcing material in the composites. Thermal analysis of the fibers was done by the DTG and DSC technique. The moisture desorption was observed at a lower temperature in the case of all the treated fibers, which might be a result of the increased fineness of the fibers, which provides more surface area for moisture evaporation. The decrease in percentage moisture loss for the fibers treated with alkali for 6 and 8 h could be the result of the increased crystallinity of the fibers. The percentage degradation of the hemicellulose decreased considerably in all the treated fibers, conforming to the fact that the hemicellulose content was lowered on alkali treatment. The decomposition temperature for α-cellulose was lowered to 348°C from 362.2°C for all the treated fibers, and the residual char formation increased to a significant extent. The enthalpy for the thermal degradation of α-cellulose showed a decreasing trend for the fibers treated for 2 and 4 h, which could be caused by the initial loosening of the structure, followed by an increase in the enthalpy value in the case of the 6- and 8-h-alkali-treated fibers resulting from increased crystallinity, as evident from the X-ray diffraction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2594–2599, 2002

Engineered natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: influence of surface modifications and novel powder impregnation processing

Abstract: Environmentally-benign powder impregnation processing is adopted in fabricating bio-composites from chopped natural fibers and powder polypropylene. The surface modifications of natural fibers involving alkali treatment and treatment with maleated polyolefins are found to be very effective in improving fiber-matrix adhesion. Bast fiber (kenaf) based composites showed best tensile and modulus properties while leaf fiber (henequen) based biocomposites showed best impact behavior. Through a blend of surface-treated bast and leaf fibers, 'engineered natural fibers' (ENFs) can be designed and such ENFs on reinforcement with a polymer matrix result in biocomposites with superior physico-mechanical properties.

Engineering and characterisation of the interface in flax fibre/polypropylene composite materials. Part II. The effect of surface treatments on the interface

Abstract: Natural fibres have attracted much attention recently for use as reinforcing agents in composite materials. However, even though natural fibres possess many advantages over glass fibres, such as lower density, lower cost and recycleability, they are not totally free of problems. Natural fibres are comprised mostly of cellulose, a highly hydrophilic macromolecule with strong polarity and, as a result, problems of compatibility with very apolar matrices (e.g. polyolefins) almost certainly arise. Surface treatments, although having a negative impact on economics, may improve the compatibility and strengthen the interface in natural fibre composite materials. In Part I of the present study two such surface treatments, acetylation and stearation, have been developed and applied to flax fibres. In this second part, the effect of these treatments upon the interface of flax fibre/polypropylene composites is assessed by means of fragmentation tests. It has been found that both treatments led to improvement of the stress transfer efficiency at the interface, and both applied treatments were optimised, accordingly.

Thermal degradation of flax: The determination of kinetic parameters with thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract: The thermal degradation of flax was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis. The flax used for these experiments underwent different stages of retting or, in one case, boiling. The most retted type of flax was also chemically treated to obtain elementary fibers. These samples were all tested in dynamic and isothermal runs after careful sample preparation. The resulting thermograms were analyzed and later used to calculate the kinetic parameters of cellulose degradation. These kinetic parameters included reaction constants and activation energies. A clear difference in the various tested types of flax was observed through a comparison of these values, and an explanation for these differences was suggested. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2634–2643, 2002

Natural protein fibers

Abstract: Alpha keratin fibers (hairs, wools, quills, and other mammalian appendages) together with fibroin fibers such as silks and spiders webs are all highly extensible fibrous proteins for which the mechanical properties are of primary importance both to the animal from which they originate and their ultimate application by man. Similarly, the collagens are highly inextensible fibrous proteins, which form the major component of mammalian skin and connecting structures such as tendons. All these fibrous proteins are biological polymers of polypeptide chains for which the mechanical and allied physical properties, such as water absorption, relate to both their macrostructure and their molecular and near-molecular structure. Because of both their commercial application and their relatively complex structure at the molecular and near-molecular level, interpretation of the physical properties of α-keratin fibers represents the main component of this presentation. The mechanical properties of α-keratin fibers are primarily related to the two components of the elongated cortical cells, the highly ordered intermediate filaments (microfibrils) which contain the α-helices, and the matrix in which the intermediate filaments are embedded. The matrix consists of globular proteins plus water, the content of the latter being dependent on the fibers environment. The Extended Two-Phase Model (ETPM) has been developed and results in a detailed coverage of the bulk mechanical properties of α-helical fibers in terms of their known molecular and near-molecular structure. The inextensible protein fibers, the collagens and fibroins, are also briefly discussed in terms of the relationship between mechanical properties and the structure of these fibers.

Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) Composites with Flax Fibres Modified by Plasticiser Absorption

Abstract: Natural fibre-biopolymer composites have been preparred from flax and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). The flax was modified by drying, followed by plasticiser absorption to replace the water lost to prevent embrittlement. This protects the fibres from problems associated with their water content and changes in water content due to equilibration with the environment. Flax and PHB showed good interfacial adhesion, which was decreased when plasticisers were present. Some plasticiser migrated from the flax to PHB and caused complex changes in the glass transition, crystallisation and crystallinity of the PHB. Morphology of the composites was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM), SEM provided information on the interfacial adhesion through fractography. OM showed extensive transcrystallinity along the fibre surfaces. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to measure elastic and damping characteristics and their relation to composition and morphology.

Sugarcane bagasse reinforced phenolic and lignophenolic composites

Abstract: Lignin, extracted from sugarcane bagasse by the organosolv process, was used as a partial substitute of phenol (40 w/w) in resole phenolic matrices. Short sugarcane fibers were used as reinforcement in these polymeric matrices to obtain fiber-reinforced composites. Thermoset polymers (phenolic and lignophenolic) and related composites were obtained by compression molding and characterized by mechanical tests such as impact, differential mechanical thermoanalysis (DMTA), and hardness tests. The impact test showed an improvement in the impact strength when sugarcane bagasse was used. The inner part of the fractured samples was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results indicated adhesion between fibers and matrix, because the fibers are not set free, suggesting they suffered a break during the impact test. The modification of fiber surface (mercerization and esterification) did not lead to an improvement in impact strength. The results as a whole showed that it is feasible to replace part of phenol by lignin in phenolic matrices without loss of properties. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 880–888, 2002

Thermal properties of Bombyx mori silk fibers

Abstract: The thermal properties of Bombyx mori silk fibers subjected to heat treatment were examined by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrometry (TG-DTA-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The color, size, and shape of B. mori cocoon shells were observed as they were heated from 25 to 550°C. Only 1% of the original cocoon shell weight remains as cocoon ash after treatment at 550°C. Inorganic components, such as calcium, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, etc., were detected in the cocoon ash by energy dispersion fluorescent X-ray spectrometry. A sharp decrease in weight was observed in the TG data beginning around 280°C, and an endothermic peak appeared at 308°C, as evidenced by the DTA curves. The IR bands observed at 2380 cm−1 (OH stretching), 1760 cm−1 (CO stretching), 1503 (NH stretching), 1085 cm−1 (CN stretching) and 965 cm−1 (NH2 stretching) become stronger as an exothermic reaction beginning at 280°C takes place. This is probably due to cleavage of the main chain and the accompanying decomposition of the silk fibers. Similarly, a SEM micrograph of silk fibers treated at 300°C shows a microtubule in the middle of the silk fibers of about 25-μm diameter. This suggests that the thermal reactions starts in the middle of the silk fiber and forms a microtubule. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1817–1820, 2002

Wood pulp reinforced thermoplastic starch composites

Abstract: Thermoplastic starch is potentially a low cost alternative biodegradable plastic that is readily available material, but owing to its poor mechanical properties and high susceptibility to water, its actual replacement of the polymers currently in use is limited. In this study we investigated the employment of wood pulp as fiber reinforcement for thermoplastic starch. The composites were prepared with regular cornstarch plasticized with glycerol in the presence of fiber. The matrix compositions were starch/glycerol 70/30, 80/20 and 90/10 (w/w). The wood pulp fiber content was varied from 5 to 15% by weight. The composites were characterized by mechanical tests, scanning electron microscope and water absorption experiments at 97% relative humidity. It was found that the addition of fiber led to a large increase in the elastic modulus and tensile strength and that these effects are very dependent on the glycerol content. The water absorbed by the composites was sharply reduced by the addition of pulp, and se...

Resin transfer molding of natural fiber reinforced polybenzoxazine composities

Abstract: Kenaf fiber is incorporated in a polybenzoxazine (PBZX) resin matrix to form a unidirectionally reinforced composite containing 20 wt% fiber by a resin transfer molding technique. Two types of benzoxazine monomer are synthesized and used as resin mixtures: benzoxazines based on bisphenol-A/aniline (BA-a) and phenol/ aniline (Ph-a). The effects of varying BA-a:Ph-a ratio in the resin mixture and curing conditions on mechanical properties of pure PBZX resin and kenaf/PBZX composites are studied. The flexural strength of the pure PBZX resin increases with increasing ratio of BA-a:Ph-a, curing temperature and curing time, but the impact strength increases only slightly. PBZX resin has lower water absorption and higher flexural modulus, when compared with unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin. PBZX composites with 20 wt% fiber content have lower flexural and impact strengths, but higher flexural moduli compared with UPE composites with the same fiber content.

High capacity hybrid multi-layer automotive air filter

Abstract: An automotive air filter including natural fiber filter media region, having piteous, absorbent, wickable natural fibers, a synthetic fiber filter media region including, absorbent spunbond polyester filters. The natural fiber region receives an influent fluid stream containing particles, trapping some particles. The manufactured fiber region removes residual particles, producing a filtered effluent stream. The fluid stream passes unimpaired through the fiber pores. Two structural mesh layers sandwich natural and manufactured fiber regions. Oil is disposed in the oleophilic cotton mesh. Fiber regions have layers disposed in gradient density arrangement.

Properties of ligno-cellulose fiber Hildegardia

Abstract: Studies on some properties such as the density, the degradation temperatures, the morphology and the spectral features of the ligno-cellulose fiber Hildegardia were carried out in both untreated and alkali treated form. The fibers are found to have good morphology and moderate initial and final degradation temperatures. On alkali treatment, the lignin was found to be eliminated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2216–2221, 2002

On the development of natural fiber composites of high-temperature thermoplastic polymers

Abstract: A new method is presented for the development of natural fiber composites of high-performance thermoplastic polymers considering poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) and wood flour as an example system. The large gap between the high processing temperature of PPE, typically between 280 and 320°C, and the low decomposition temperature of wood flour, about 200°C, was reduced by using a reactive solvent, a low molecular weight epoxy. The epoxy formed miscible blends with PPE, which offered much lower viscosity compared to PPE and processing temperatures well below the decomposition temperature of wood flour. In addition, the epoxy component accumulated around the polar wood flour particles upon polymerization during the fabrication step. The composite materials consisted of a thermoplastic continuous phase and two dispersed phases, one of polymerized epoxy and the other of wood flour particles coated with polymerized epoxy. These composites offered a significant reduction in density and better mechanical and physical properties when compared to commercially available grades of engineering polymer blends filled with short glass fibers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2159–2167, 2002

All-plant fiber composites. i: unidirectional sisal fiber reinforced benzylated wood

Abstract: Benzylation of sawdust from China fir was carried out to prepare plastics based on natural resources. It was found that thermoplasticity and mechanical properties of the chemically modified wood flour changed with the substitution reaction conditions. By compounding sisal fibers and the plasticized fir sawdust, unidirectional laminates were manufactured in a method similar to conventional thermoplastic composites. Such an all-plant fiber composite material is characterized by easy processing, environmental friendliness, and low cost. Instead of chemical heterogeneity of conventional composites, physical heterogeneity of the current natural fiber composite should be favorable for interfacial interaction. However, the reinforcing sisal fibers were not well impregnated by the matrix because of the relatively high viscosity of the benzylated fir sawdust. Further efforts should be made in this area on the basis of the current preliminary work in order to improve mechanical properties of the composites.

Fracture behavior of vinylester resin matrix composites reinforced with alkali‐treated jute fibers

Abstract: Jute fibers were treated with 5% NaOH solution for 4 and 8 h, respectively, to study the mechanical and impact fatigue properties of jute-reinforced vinylester resin matrix composites. Mechanical properties were enhanced in case of fiber composites treated for 4 h, where improved interfacial bonding (as evident from scanning electron microscopy [SEM]) and increased fiber strength properties contributed effectively in load transfer from the matrix to the fiber; but their superior mechanical property was not retained with fatigue, as they showed poor impact fatigue behavior. The fracture surfaces produced under a three-point bend test and repeated impact loading were examined under SEM to study the nature of failure in the composites. In case of untreated fiber composites, interfacial debonding and extensive fiber pullout were observed, which lowered the mechanical property of the composites but improved their impact fatigue behavior. In composites treated for 4 h under repeated impact loading, interfacial debonding occurred, followed by fiber breakage, producing a sawlike structure at the fracture surface, which lowered the fatigue resistance property of the composites. The composites with fibers treated with alkali for 8 h showed maximum impact fatigue resistance. Here, interfacial debonding was at a minimum, and the fibers, being much stronger and stiffer owing to their increased crystallinity, suffered catastrophic fracture along with some microfibrillar pullout (as evident from the SEM micrographs), absorbing a lot of energy in the process, which increased the fatigue resistance property of the composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2588–2593, 2002

Natural fiber composites of high-temperature thermoplastic polymers: Effects of coupling agents

Abstract: Our earlier paper (Jana, SC; Prieto, A J Appl Polym Sci 2002, 86, 2159) on the development of natural fiber composites of high-performance thermoplastic polymers described a new methodology for the manufacturing of composite materials of a high-temperature thermoplastic polymer, poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) and wood flour, a cellulosic natural filler A thermosetting epoxy, used as a reactive solvent, reduced the processing temperature of PPE/epoxy blends to well below the decomposition temperature of natural fillers In addition, the epoxy component, upon polymerization, formed coating layers around the filler particles to provide resistance against moisture diffusion and attacks by acids and alkali This article describes the results of an investigation on two outstanding issues: (1) the influence of cellulosic wood particles and coupling agents on the speed of epoxy curing and reaction-induced phase separation and (2) the effects of coupling agents on the morphology of crosslinked epoxy at the surfaces of natural fillers and mechanical properties of the composites It was found that wood particles expedited epoxy curing in the composites; the extent of epoxy curing, however, was reduced in the presence of coupling agents Also, the coupling agents promoted complete coverage of wood flour particles by polymerized epoxy, although the mechanical properties deteriorated over systems without coupling agents © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2168–2173, 2002

Arboform® - A Thermoplastic, Processable Material from Lignin and Natural Fibers

Abstract: The natural polymer lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry and every year approximately 50 million tons are generated in chemical pulp mills worldwide. So far the majority of them has been directly supplied to a thermal use for the power supply of the chemical pulp mills. This polymer lignin is the main component of a new class of engineering structural materials and parts for equipment in industrial applications using only renewable resources. ARBOFORM®, a material of this class, consists of lignin, natural fibers for reinforcement and natural additives supporting processing and properties. Although it exhibits wood-like properties, it can be processed like a thermoplastic material and used for engineering products. The mixing and compounding of granules of this material are based on standard technologies of polymer engineering. They can be injection molded and pressed like a thermoplastic raw material. The production of component parts and pressed plates from this material takes place at lower temperatures and the resulting parts show a lower shrinkage than those made from synthetic plastics. The mechanical behavior, however, is wood-like and the measured properties lie in a range of those of polyamide. Some examples of possible applications for mass consumer goods and industrial equipment, which are currently under detailed investigation, are discussed.