Future prospects for wood cellulose as reinforcement in organic polymer composites

Abstract

Wood cellulose, a versatile and renewable natural resource, has potential for use as a reinforcement for synthetic organic polymers. During the past 80 years a number of materials using the reinforcing properties of wood cellulose have found major markets. Forms of wood cellulose proposed as reinforcements include: wood fibers, cellulose fibers, microfibillar, and microcrystalline cellulose. Recent attention has been given to them as fillers/reinforcements in thermoplastics and elastomers. Most cellulosic composites derive their existence from their comparatively low materials cost and the filling rather than reinforcing properties of cellulose. However, cellulose chains have a potential stiffness much higher than glass and in the same range as superstiff aramid fibers. This paper examines the state of the art of combining wood cellulose with synthetic organic polymers to from composites and considers new ways for better using cellulose's reinforcing potential.