Hemp Shive Composite Resin Dispersion and Processability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composite materials made from thermoplastic resins and natural fibers like hemp or flax lack enhanced physical-mechanical properties, lightness, and workability, and often result in waste that is not efficiently recycled.

Innovation Solution

A composite material comprising a thermoplastic resin and granular shive from hemp or flax with fine particle sizes (less than 0.2 mm) is developed, allowing for higher shive-to-resin ratios, improved dispersibility, and reduced resin usage, enhancing workability and lightness while utilizing waste materials effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If natural fibers (hemp, flax) are used in composite materials with thermoplastic resins, then the materials gain enhanced physical-mechanical properties, but the workability and lightness are not sufficiently improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical-mechanical propertiesVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of shive from conventional larger sizes to fine particles with average size below 0.2 mm (preferably below 0.1 mm). This parameter change improves workability and dispersibility in the thermoplastic resin while maintaining the reinforcing effect on physical-mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining thermoplastic resin with fine shive particles from hemp and/or flax. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of the resin (workability, lightness) and the fine shive particles (strength enhancement) to achieve both improved physical-mechanical properties and workability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If higher amounts of shive are used to increase lightness, then the material becomes lighter and more economical, but the dispersibility and homogeneity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelightnessVSAvoidhomogeneity of dispersion

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter change by reducing the particle size of shive to fine particles (average size below 0.2 mm, preferably below 0.1 mm). This enables higher shive-to-resin ratios (5-180 parts by weight) while maintaining homogeneous dispersion, as the fine particles distribute more uniformly throughout the resin matrix.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shive is segmented into fine particles through size reduction, which allows for better distribution and dispersion in the resin. This segmentation enables higher loading amounts while maintaining compositional homogeneity and preventing particle aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If conventional particle sizes of shive are used, then the material structure is simpler, but the processability in molten state and suitability for 3D printing deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial structure complexityVSAvoidprocessability in molten state

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter to fine shive (average size below 0.2 mm), which significantly improves processability in the molten state. The fine particles flow more easily through nozzles and extrusion systems required for 3D printing, preventing obstructions while maintaining a relatively simple material structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If waste materials from hemp/flax processing are reused, then cost-effectiveness increases, but the particle size and dispersibility characteristics are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidparticle size control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter change by controlling the particle size of waste shive to fine dimensions (average size below 0.2 mm, preferably below 0.1 mm). This optimization of the particle size parameter enables effective reuse of waste materials from hemp and flax processing, achieving both cost-effectiveness and improved manufacturing precision in the composite material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10450429B2Composite materials comprising at least one thermoplastic resin and granular shive from hemp and/or flax

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 HEMP PLASTIC CO

AI summary

A composite material may include at least one thermoplastic resin; and from 5 to 180 parts by weight of granular shive from hemp and/or flax, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the at least one thermoplastic resin, with particles having an average particle size lower than 0.2 millimeters (mm). A method for the manufacture of a composite material may include: melting the at least one thermoplastic resin; mixing the at least one molten resin with from 5 to 180 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the at least one thermoplastic resin, of granular shive from hemp and/or flax with an average particle size lower than 0.2 mm; and cooling the mixture obtained in order to form the composite material.