MOLDING FINELY POWDERED LIGNOCELLULOSIC FIBERS INTO HIGH DENSITY MATERIALS

摘要

A molded fiber product is made from plant fibers containing lignin. Plant fibers ranging in size below 0.5 mm are used. Binding agents and other additives may be mixed with the fibers to enhance product or process performance. The plant fiber mixture of fibers and additives are heated at temperatures between 40 degrees C and 300 degrees C. The heated fibers are compressed in a mold to an average density of at least 960 kg/m<3>. Compression pressures of at least 3.4 MPa are used. The compressed fiber product is released from the mold and the mold may be reused. A thermoset molded plant fiber product is provided having characteristics and qualities similar to engineering grade thermoplastics and thermoset plastics.