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Plant fibres and twin screw extrusion |
Plant fibres
To get a better understanding of matrix-fibre interactions, which is one of the essential points to obtain a composite with high-performance mechanical properties, Clextral started in September 2008 research work with CEMEF (Materials Forming Centre - Centre de Mise en Forme de Matériaux) within the framework of the post-master BIOPLASTICS.
In the mid-1970s, in fact, Clextral began R&D on the splitting of cellulose fibres for applications reported in specialty papers. From 1975 to 1985, extensive expertise was acquired on equipment and associated processes, with notably the development of a dedicated screw/sleeve configuration and the design of specific screw elements aimed at managing and controlling the extracted fibre lengths.
Examples of composite materials made of linen fibres
Beginning in 1985, the industrial application deployment took place with, in particular, the installation of several paper pulp production units, with the paper pulp based cotton combers and linters for fiduciary or security paper. The company has never stopped keeping up with its know-how on natural fibres : co-product of cotton, linen, hemp, sorghum, small wooden bits, etc. Major work was conducted on the relationships between process and usage properties. Clextral filed several patents in this field.
Clextral is a founding member with other partners (Arkema, Dedienne Multiplasturgy® Group, Groupe Dehondt®, Terre de Lin and the French Technical Linen Institute) of the Association of Linen Material Fibres [ FiMaLin® ] to promote a sector dedicated to the technical applications of linen as an ecological substitute for glass fibre.
The goal of this association is to "create and structure a 'technical linen' sector dedicated to the development of eco-designed products integrating high-performance linen fibres. The lightness and the performances of linen-based composites make them suitable for a wide range of applications, for example : automobile, construction, water sports, sports & leisure time activities, rail transport, etc."
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