Improvement of the density and processability of eco-friendly decking products from natural fiber composites using locally available resources

Vision Extrusions Group Ltd是一家加拿大公司，是全球公认的 通过生产包括窗、门、甲板和栅栏在内的各种产品，在建筑业 作为木材替代品的聚合物异型材挤出。最近，一家新的复合材料生产设施 开放了基于回收聚乙烯和稻壳的甲板型材。稻壳提供了几种 低吸水率、低霉变和相对较高的弯曲模数等优点。然而， 设备磨损高(与高颗粒硬度有关的快速磨损)和密度高等问题 最终产品与这种材料有关。此外，稻壳在当地并不是很普遍。 因此，加拿大的数量增加了原材料成本，限制了供应，而且是不可持续的。为 出于这些原因，公司对用稻壳替代稻壳开发新产品非常感兴趣。 当地可获得的天然纤维。 因此，本研究方案的主要目的是研究用该材料制备复合材料的可行性。 天然纤维的混合物。要研究的主要参数是天然纤维的类型(大麻、亚麻和枫木 木粉)、它们的大小和浓度，以及优化加工条件。这个 将用水对配方进行机械表征(弯曲模数和强度、冲击强度) 摄取、尺寸稳定性和密度。通过实验设计和优化设计，得到最优方案。 多变量数据分析，以获得性能、成本和重量方面的最佳复合材料。

Vision Extrusions Group LTD is a Canadian company which is globally recognized as a leader in the construction industry by producing a wide range of products including windows, doors, decks, and fences via polymer profile extrusion as substitutes for wood. Recently, a new facility for the production of composite decking profiles based on recycled polyethylene and rice husk was opened. Rice husk provides several advantages such as low water absorption, low mould issues, and relatively high flexural modulus. However, problems such as high equipment wear (fast abrasion related to the high particle hardness) and high density of the final products are associated with this material. Furthermore, rice husk is not locally available in large quantities in Canada thus increasing raw material costs, limiting availability and being not sustainable. For these reasons, the company is highly interested to develop new products by substitution of rice husk with locally available natural fibers. So the main objective of this research proposal is to study the feasibility of producing the composites with mixtures of natural fibers. The main parameters to study are the type of natural fibers (hemp, flax, and maple wood flour), their sizes and their concentration, as well as optimize the processing conditions. The formulations will be mechanically characterized (flexural modulus and strength, impact strength), with water uptake, dimensional stability, and density. The optimum will be obtained through design of experiments and multivariate data analysis to get the best composites in terms of properties, costs and weight.