| 摘要 |
Composite materials are manufactured by subjecting a vegetable material containing fibre, or a mixture of such vegetable materials, to at least one thermoplastic processing step, such as extrusion, compression moulding, injection moulding, vacuum moulding or film blowing. The thermoplastic processing may be carried out in the presence of a bonding agent, for example a chemical bonding agent such as urea-formaldehyde, or a protein (which protein may be contained in the vegetable material or added to it). Prior to the thermoplastic processing step(s), the vegetable material(s) are subjected to at least one preliminary treatment, for example a heat treatment, addition of an alkali, grinding, wetting, washing, defibrillation, blending and/or mixing. The product of the thermoplastic processing step(s) may be subjected to an after-treatment, for example drying and/or curing. Vegetable materials include soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, oil palm, cocoa, flax, wheat and barley products. The vegetable material(s) may be mixed with additives prior to and/or during the thermoplastic processing step(s), for example water, glycerol, glyoxal, glutaric dialdehyde, lecithin, wood-based raw materials and/or a colourant. The composites may be formed in a variety of configurations, including board, sheets and films, and may find use as constructional items for use in the building, construction, furniture or cabinetry industries. |
