Online Seminar

The characteristics of plastics can be optimised through the application of cellulose-based fibers as reinforcing components. These fiber-reinforced composites can be used in all situations in which the structural elements are subjected to special requirements. Due to the strong potential of these materials in lightweight construction applications, they are currently of particular interest to the automotive industry. Diverse applications are, however, also possible in the construction and furniture industries.

Due to their natural origins, cellulose-based fibers possess characteristics which, until now, made them difficult to use. They demonstrate a strong variability of their morphologic properties as well as a pronounced hygroscopicity. This leads to dimensional alterations through swelling of the material. The hydrophilic surface of cellulose-based fibers impedes the binding to the matrix materials – this has a strong influence on the mechanical properties of the composite material.

Various pre-treatment measures on the cellulose-based fibers enable the influencing of the chemical characteristics of the fiber surface as well as the moisture absorbency and the shape variability of the fibers. The characteristics of the resulting fiber-reinforced composites can also be altered through a modification of the fibers. The influencing of the fiber-matrix adhesion is of particular importance here, as it has a strong influence on the mechanical characteristics of the composites.

The Fraunhofer WKI’s current Webinar on 21.1.2014 provides an overview of the current research status and the projects being carried out at the Application Centre for Wood Fiber Research into surface modification. The Online Seminar is primarily directed at participants from the fields of automotive manufacture, construction and the furniture industry

We warmly invite you to take part in the Webinar and to discuss the subject with us.