Binderless all-cellulose fibreboard from microfibrillated lignocellulosic natural fibres

Published Date
April 2016, Vol.83:38–46, doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.11.027
Special Issue on Biocomposites

Author 

Raquel Arévalo ^a

Ton Peijs ^a,b,,

aSchool of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK

• bNanoforce Technology Ltd., Joseph Priestley Bld., Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK

Available online 2 December 2015. 

Abstract

Fully biobased all-cellulose fibreboards are produced without the use of additional bonding agents such as polymer resins or binders as in the case of e.g. medium density fibreboard (MDF) or natural fibre reinforced plastic (NFRP). These materials make use of the self-binding capability of cellulose, exploiting the enhanced hydrogen bonded network present in micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose, resulting in good mechanical performance. After the optimisation of refinement, drying and hot-pressing conditions, binder-free panels from microfibrillated flax fibres with excellent mechanical properties of around 17 GPa and 120 MPa for flexural modulus and strength, and relatively low water sorption are achieved, making these materials competitive with conventional cellulose based composite materials. The work shows the potential of creating all-cellulose engineering materials using only the intrinsic bonding capacity of microfibrillated lignocellulose, potentially leading to environmentally friendly panel board materials, which are entirely based on renewable resources, recyclable and biodegradable.

Keywords

A. Cellulose

B. Mechanical properties

E. Compression moulding

Microfibrillation

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  Corresponding author at: School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK.

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