Processing of Natural and Man-Made Cellulose Fiber-Reinforced Composites

In general, conventional processes should be useful for the manufacturing of natural fiber-reinforced composites. Because natural fibers are not available in such a variety as the common reinforcing glass, carbon, and aramid fibers, some processes (winding, braiding, or pultrusion) can hardly be used. Other well known processes require an adapted and modified technology, respectively. In the past, the mainstreams in developing processing technologies for natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastics have been compression molding, injection molding, and extrusion-compression molding. The state-of-the-art process is compression molding. The two other technologies depend on the availability of specially prepared natural fiber-reinforced semiproducts. The development of natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic granules (pellets) is a new alternative in the production of natural fiber-reinforced finished parts.