Work

Pulp fibre foams: Morphology and mechanical performance

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Cellulose (pulp) fibre foams serve as bio-based alternative to fossil-based cellular lightweight materials . The mechanical properties of cellulose fibre foams are inferior compared with traditional polymer foams and available information is often limited to compression properties. We present a comprehensive analysis of cellulose fibre foams with densities ranging from 60 to 130 kg/m 3 , examining their compression, tensile, flexural, and shear properties. Key findings include a high mean zenithal fibre angle which decreases with increasing density, as well as a high strain rate amplification (SRA) in compressive strength , which also decreases with increasing density. With respect to formulation, the addition of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) enhanced fibre dispersion , bubble homogeneity of the wet foam, and dimensional stability of the end-product. These results provide a foundation for numerical models and advance the understanding of cellulose pulp fibre foams, highlighting their potential for certain applications.

Source: Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108515