MAT PREPARATION Milkweed and synthetic fibers (PP) are blended together following a patented process. The material obtained is called a « cavolié », a sort of thick mat, the milkweed:PP ratio, thickness and area mass density of which are controlled to meet the requirements. An example of application of milkweed fiber: Door panels for automotive applications Patrice Cousin, Pierre Ovlaque, Clément Richard, Mathieu Robert, Saïd Elkoun Carrefour d’Innovations en technologies écologiques (CITÉ), Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada THERMOCOMPRESSION Milkweed mats are manufactured using a conventionnal thermocompression process. The area mass density of composite may be ajusted as needed during the carding process. Very first results have been obtained using mats with an area density of 1200 g/m² and 800 g/m² mats. CONCLUSION ● Milkweed fiber is the lightest natural fiber, which can be used in composite industry. ● Molding of milkweed-based composites does not require any specific equipment. ● Many other fields could benefit from using milkweed fiber, such as construction, aerospace or sport & leisure. 1 1 1 2 REFERENCES [1]M. Lewin, Handbook of Fiber Chemistry, Third Edition. CRC Press, 2006 [2] S. Mazumdar, Composites Manufacturing: Materials, Product, and Process Engineering. CRC Press, 2001. • Improve mechanical strength. • Meet the specifications for automotive door panels. • Test composites with various milkweed ratio and area mass density. • Measure the effect of thermocompression parameters on properties. • Explore new applications in various fields of activities. ON GOING STUDIES TO: Need more information? ● Attend Professor Mathieu Robert’s conference entitled: Reach the Ultimate Frontier of Lightweight Composites with American Silk Fiber (Thursday 29, 9:00 AM- 9:45 AM, room 207A) ● Visit http://encore3.com/en/ and http://protec-style.com/en/ ● Write to Professor Robert : [email protected] RESULTS These results were obtained from a composite containing 50 wt% milkweed and 50 wt% PP fiber. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 Flax (1100g/m²) Mw (800g/m²) Mw (1200g/m²) Elastic modulus (MPa) Elastic modulus (MPa) E (MPa) E spec (MPa) As milkweed fiber is much lighter than flax, the area mass density of composites is dramatically reduced. The elastic modulus, E, of flax and milkweed-containing composites has been measured. The results show that E of is much higher for the milkweed composite than for the flax composite. SEM micrographs show that, despite the pressure applied during the thermo-compression process, the structure of milkweed fibers structure is not strongly affected. Most of fibers still present hollow cores, which provide excellent sound and thermal insulation properties. OBJECTIVE The reduction of weight in automotive decreases gas consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Milkweed fibers are hollow fibers with an ultra low density as compared to conventional fibers, such as hemp, flax or kenaf. Thanks to the development of an exclusive carding process, it is now possible to use this amazing fiber in composites using a conventional thermocompression process. This preliminary study explores the potentiality of milkweed fiber as an alternative for flax fiber as reinforcement in semi-structural panels for automotive applications. 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 Flax Hemp Kenaf Milkweed Density (g/cm 3 ) Fiber density Milkweed fiber « Cavolié » (Thick mat) 1 1 1 Flax and milkweed panels Laminate after thermocompression