Natural fibre reinforced plastics for car interior paneling

Abstract

Panels from renewable resources to be used in the automotive industry have already been explored for quite a long time. Now, with respect to the end of live vehicles directive 2000/53/EC, this subject is being discussed again. Presently natural fibre semiproducts are utilised for mainly two-dimensional panelings in the car-interior. Frequently used matrix systems are polypropylene (PP) and polyurethane (PUR). For the manufacture of components characterised by a high conversion ratio like e.g. dashboard panels, increased demands are made on the drape of the fibre semiproducts. To be able to realise these complex components based on natural reinforcing fibres, it is necessary to determine the decisive parameters of the manufacture of semiproducts while considering the respective fibre characteristics on the drape. Thus, the manufacturer of semiproducts is enabled to produce tailor-made materials for such applications. Herewith, a basis for standardisation as well as quality control should be created, which is of great importance especially for safety relevant structures.