PLA-viscose-composites with continuous fibre reinforcement for structural applications

Aiming a biobased composite, the polymer PLA (polylactide) was selected for matrix material. Because of its likewise natural origin, viscose (rayon) was chosen for unidirectional reinforcement. Filament wet winding was applied for hollow structures from the novel composite. Furthermore unidirectional plates were processed by film stacking. With both methods fibre contents of at least 50 volume percent are feasible for these continuous reinforced composites. Performed examinations illustrate significant increase of mechanical properties in comparison with common natural reinforced PLA (compression moulded non-woven). (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Conference organizers (MSE-Symposium B6).