| Title |
Compression molded cellulose fiber foams |
| ID_Doc |
27585 |
| Authors |
Glenn, G; Orts, W; Klamczynski, A; Shogren, R; Hart-Cooper, W; Wood, D; Lee, C; Chiou, BS |
| Title |
Compression molded cellulose fiber foams |
| Year |
2023 |
| Published |
Cellulose, 30.0, 6 |
| DOI |
10.1007/s10570-023-05111-0 |
| Abstract |
Cellulose fiber foams are of growing interest as a part of the circular economy where renewable, biodegradable/compostable materials replace nonrenewable, nondegradable plastic products. The ability to mold fiber foams into shapes is important for making products. A compression molding technique is described that was used to mold wet cellulose fiber foam. The wet fiber foam was made from aqueous softwood pulp fiber mixtures and sodium dodecyl sulfate as a foaming agent. Polyvinyl alcohol was added as a fiber dispersant and foaming aid in formulations with fiber concentrations greater than 7%. A blender and a planetary paddle mixer were used to make foam containing fiber concentrations ranging from 0.77 to 11% and from 14.1 to 23.3%, respectively. The wet foam compressive strength was positively correlated with the drying time, dry density, compressive strength, and modulus. A wet foam compressive strength greater than 1.5 kPa was required for compression molding foam panels. The process involved overfilling (135%) the mold before lowering the upper platen. As the platen contacted and compressed the foam, sufficient pressure was created for the foam to flow and fill void spaces. Excess foam liquid exuded through the platens as the foam structure collapsed primarily at the platen surface. Compression molding created foam panels with a smooth, dense fiber layer on the surface and a low-density foam interior. The dry foam densities ranged from 0.0062 to 0.075 g/cm(3), porosity ranged from 95 to 99.6%, and thermal conductivity ranged from 0.0385 to 0.0421 W/mK. |
| Author Keywords |
Softwood fiber; Mineralization; Circular economy; Polyvinyl alcohol; Thermal insulation |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000942170700002 |
| WoS Category |
Materials Science, Paper & Wood; Materials Science, Textiles; Polymer Science |
| Research Area |
Materials Science; Polymer Science |
| PDF |
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