Fiber Innovations > Nonwovens

Meltlbown nonwovens of polyhydroxybutyrate: limitations, challenges and potentials in the process and in application

Saal A
Freitag, 13.09.2024, 11:50 - 12:15 Uhr

The meltblown processability of PHBs was evaluated and correlated to specific material characteristics. Nonwoven fabrics of PHB were produced offering significant lower fiber diameters compared to state of literature and showing unique property constellations. A new process step to produce 3 dimensional parts was developped as well as the potential for circularity of the materials demonstrated.

Sprecher
Tim Höhnemann (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF))
Co-Authoren
Thomas Helle (Novis GmbH)
PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate) is a promising biopolymer: it is 100% biobased and 100% biodegradable. However, processing of PHB, especially in fiber processes is challenging due rapid degradation, high melt adhesion, low initial crystallization rate combined with strong post-crystallization and its low stretchability. In recent research, DITF Denkendorf screened commercially available PHBs on their rheological and molecular characteristics as well as on their performance in melt blown process in technical scale. Despite of similar data sheet specifications, the study revealed large differences in minimum process temperature (up to 30 K!) and possible throughputs by process pressure limitation (max.3 kg/h/m vs. > 7 kg/h/m). The average fiber diameters varied significantly with the process parameters and could be engineered to achieve median fiber diameter of 2.4 μm, which is outstanding compared to the current state of literature. Corresponding fabric properties also open unique property constellations, such as high air permeability with zero water permeability, enabling interesting aspects compared to existing products. Use of recycled (up to 4-times) granules, blended to virgin PHB showed the potential for a succescul material cycle. Furthermore, PHB can be hydrolyzed by many aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in soil, compost, sewage sludge, freshwater and even seawater. In addition, the DITF have developed a process step, currently still semi-automated, for the production of 3D parts as a single-stage product manufacture directly in the meltblow fiber jet, which produces dimensionally stable products. As a final challenge, the still limited elongation at break (in the range of 3 - 5%) is currently being investigated using different types of bio-based plasticizing additives.