Effects of Fibers

From 2020-2021, our MURI research team is researching the effects of natural fibers on bio-based plastics. Here are some background research articles on the effects of natural fibers on bio-based plastics:

1. One research team combined a bacterial polyester known as poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate)(PHBV) and experimented reinforcing the plastic with bamboo wood. PHBV was used because of its biodegradability. Bamboo wood is often used for thermoplastics. One of the main limitations of wood fibers is that they lose dimensional stability when exposed to moisture. After molding these two into a plastic in different ratios and testing the plastic for tensile strength, flexibility, and heat deflection, it is concluded that only heat deflection is increased when combining bamboo wood fiber to PHBV.

2. One team conducted experiments with flax plants and PHB to create stronger bioplastic. They grew four distinct plants and measured the amount of pectin, lignin, and cellulose in each and how it affected tensile strength and elasticity. They then retted the plants for the fbers and combined them with the PHB

Wróbel‐Kwiatkowska, M., Skórkowska‐Telichowska, K., Dymińska, L., Mączka, M., Hanuza, J., & Szopa, J. (2009, July 01). Biochemical, mechanical, and spectroscopic analyses of genetically engineered flax fibers producing bioplastic (poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate). Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://aiche.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/btpr.194?casa_token=ymGsjX9nnyEAAAAA%3AGr7WEF9LeZXktOJxXCJprLuJS3zvabAlvWMSsUFi9O7pbShxFny23SBJq0YAbTDBr7E6RhePR-rTJgq8

3. One study studied the effects of Manila hemp fiber (hemp grown from Manila soil) on bioplastics and bioplastic biodegradability. Biodegradability was tested by five conditions: tensile strength, weight, width, thickness, and temperature. There were five groups of hemp bioplastics for accounting for biodegradability in air and in soil. The two groups of the hemp bioplastics that were exposed to the air did not degrade. The tensile strength of the three groups in the soil decreased. Biodegradability increased in the three groups in the soil.