Study of the Properties of a Biodegradable Polymer Filled with Different Wood Flour Particles

Abstract

Lignocellulosic wood flour particles with three different sizes were used to reinforce Solanyl® type bioplastic in three compositions (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) and further processed by melt-extrusion and injection molding to simulate industrial conditions. The wood flour particles were morphologically and granulometric analyzed to evaluate their use as reinforcing filler. The Fuller method on wood flour particles was successfully applied and the obtained results were subsequently corroborated by the mechanical characterization. The rheological studies allowed observing how the viscosity was affected by the addition of wood flour and to recover information about the processing conditions of the biocomposites. Results suggest that all particles can be employed in extrusion processes (shear rate less than 1000 s−1). However, under injection molding conditions, biocomposites with high percentages of wood flour or excessively large particles may cause an increase in defective injected-parts due to obstruction of the gate in the mold. From a processing point of view and based on the biocomposites performance, the best combination resulted in Solanyl® type biopolymer reinforced with wood flour particles loaded up to 20 wt.% of small and medium particles size. The obtained biocomposites are of interest for injected molding parts for several industrial applications.

Study of the Synergetic Effect of Co-Pyrolysis of Lignite and High-Density Polyethylene Aiming to Improve Utilization of Low-Rank Coal

“…A recent strategy in bioplastics development concerns the extensive use of natural products. Polysaccharides, pectin, and alginate represent the basic components in healable and safely dissolvable biocomposite that has potential applications in food packaging [ 18 ], whereas Solanyl ® type biopolymer was reinforced with lignocellulosic wood flour particles of small (0.07–0.15 mm) and medium size (0.30–0.50 mm) [ 19 ].…”

Polymeric Materials Obtained by Extrusion and Injection Molding from Lignocellulosic Agroindustrial Biomass

“…Overfilling can reduce the contact between the reinforcement surfaces and the matrix due to the lack of available contact surfaces in the matrix, which will affect the mechanical properties by preventing energy absorption and enhancement of the matrix polymer [161]. Regarding the rheological properties, the increase in filler material does not significantly affect the viscosity or melt temperature [153], but it can generate an increase in pressure, which can cause clogging of the nozzle during injection and generate defective parts [162]. In some cases, the coupling agent has been shown to reduce viscosity by providing lubrication, which may reduce the pressure required during injection [163].…”

Rheology and Processing of Polymers

“…Francisco Parres et al [9] studied the influence of wood flour particle size, at the microscale level, on the properties of biodegradable composite materials based on Solanyl ®type bioplastic. Wood flour with different granulometries, ranging from 70 to 1100 µm, was assessed as a filler.…”