The base material for engineered fibers is usually petroleum-based polymers. Recently, according to foreign media reports, in view of the limited availability of fossil raw materials and the challenges faced by plastics, Dr. Boris Marx of the Fiber Institute Bremen (Fiber Institute Bremen) is looking for alternatives to biopolymers.
Biopolymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), are made from bio-based renewable raw materials. Unlike polymers usually made from petroleum, PLA is chemically synthesized from lactic acid and is biodegradable. For example, commercially available PLA can be processed into yarn for use in home textiles. However, its advantages for practical application are not enough.
According to the researchers: "As part of the IGF project 'High Performance PLA-Biko Fibers', it is possible for the first time to produce PLA blends with a stereocomplex crystal structure on a pilot plant scale. During the compounding process, the two PLA The raw materials are mixed together, and its special feature lies in the process control of temperature. The result is a PLA blend powder with a stereocomplex crystal structure, which can be used to make yarns with higher strength and stiffness, thereby replacing traditional plastic."
ITV Denkendorf Produktservice, developer and manufacturer of medical textile materials: "Because there are currently no PLA-based products in the form of stereocomposites on the market. Such PLA mixtures enable the development of innovative products such as improved bone plates for the treatment of fractures."
According to the head of the FIBER Institute, this material is suitable for high-tech fields such as aerospace technology, medical technology or automotive engineering. The material was developed in an industry-oriented pilot plant, so the relevant research parameters are easily applicable to the industrial field.
