NATURAL FILLERS | ADDITIVES


in the range some polymers want to process. We have developed a compounding process that allows us to maximize the benefits of natural fibres while not risking degradation,” he said. For 3D printing, fibre length and particle size must be the correct size for the process. LFAM beads can handle larger particles than filaments. “Finer particles give better surface finish and consistency; longer fibres buy stiffness but cost flowability. We optimize with tight screening on incoming fibre, moisture control, and twin-screw compounding for dispersion before anything gets printed,” Esser said. The company also supplies wood-filled recycled


PETG and hemp-filled PLA filament for 3D printing applications ranging from consumer and prototype parts to retail displays. The filament is available in North America, with plans to expand to the EU.


FR compounds Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (WKI) in Braunschweig, Germany recently conducted a project to create flame-retardant, continuous natural fibres and test them in a fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing process. While


short natural fibres have been used extensively in FFF, continuous fibres have rarely been used, said Dr Arne Schirp, leader of the project. Continuous flax fibres and rayon rovings were


treated with flame retardant (FR) consisting of inorganic salts, combined with an organic phosphorus-nitrogen compound, using a dip bath, Schirp explained. The treated yarns were dried and co-extruded with PLA using a die extrusion process. The PLA was flame-retarded using


Above: Fraunhofer WKI’s set-up for filament processing with continuous fibres


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IMAGE: FRAUNHOFER WKI


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