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Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials

Submission Deadline: 30 November 2020 (closed)

Guest Editors

Krzysztof Formela, Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Polymer Technology, Gdansk, Poland;
Mateusz Barczewski, Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Materials Technology, Polymer Processing Division, Poznań, Poland;

Summary

The need of novel engineering materials development despite many years of research still remains unmet. Production of polymeric composites with lowered impact on environment moght be realized by incorporation of various sustainable technologies including: valorization of waste materials for production of highly efficient reinforcing fillers, application of renewable and biodegradable natural fibers or polymeric matrices, production of single polymer composites (SPCs) and self reinforcing composites (SRCs) characterized with high recyclability, and many others.
The aim of proposed Special Issue is to share information about recent development of novel polymeric composites based on sustainable technologies and renewable materials, which extend their industrial applications. Furthermore, presentation of various problems, such as: narrow temperature processing window in polymer composites, thermal degradation of waste materials and lignocellulosic fillers during processing or immiscibility/incompatibility of waste materials with polymeric matrix.
High-quality original research articles presenting technological cases, conceptual solutions of new technological and materials insights and reviews in these subjects are warmly welcomed.


Keywords

Composites; Natural fibers; Single polymer composites; Waste; Recycling; Sustainability; Biodegradable; Renewable materials

Published Papers


  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Surface Quality of Polypropylene Green Composites as a Function of Sunflower Husk Waste Filler Particle Size and Content

    Mateusz Barczewski, Jacek Andrzejewski, Radomir Majchrowski, Kamil Dobrzycki, Krzysztof Formela
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.5, pp. 841-853, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.014490
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract Agricultural waste is a still untapped source of materials that can, in case of proper utilization, significantly improve the sustainability of polymers and their composites. In this work, polymer composites based on isotactic polypropylene were produced incorporating ground sunflower husk in the amount of 10 wt% and 20 wt%. The work’s main objective is to evaluate how preliminary fractioning of this agricultural waste filler affects the thermomechanical properties, microstructure and surface topology of polypropylene-based injection molded composites. The composites were analyzed for mechanical properties (tensile, impact strength and hardness), thermomechanical properties (Vicat softening point VST, heat deflection temperature HDT, and… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Effects of Steam Heat-Treatment on Properties of Pinus massoniana Wood and Its Bonding Performance

    Meifen Tian, Bengang Zhang, Zhigang Wu, Liping Yu, Lifen Li, Xuedong Xi
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 789-801, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.013844
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract Pinus massoniana wood was modified by steam heat-treatment at 160°C, 180°C, 200°C and 220°C respectively and effects of the changes of density, pH, surface wettability and apparent morphology of Pinus massoniana heat-treated wood on its bonding performance were studied in this paper. The results showed that Pinus massoniana wood underwent a series of physical and chemical changes during heat-treatment as the the following: (1) The degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose with low degree of polymerization, degradation and migration of the extract resulting in the decline of density and pH of heat-treated Pinus massoniana wood. (2) Brittle fracture occured on the… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Damping Analysis and Failure Mechanism of 3D Printed Bio-Based Sandwich with Auxetic Core under Bending Fatigue Loading

    Khawla Essassi, Jean-Luc Rebiere, Abderrahim El Mahi, Mohamed Amine Ben Souf, Anas Bouguecha, Mohamed Haddar
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.3, pp. 569-584, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.012253
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract Meta-sandwich composites with three-dimensional (3D) printed architecture structure are characterized by their high ability to absorb energy. In this paper, static and fatigue 3-point bending tests are implemented on a 3D printed sandwich composites with a re-entrant honeycomb core. The skins, core and whole sandwich are manufactured using the same bio-based material which is polylactic acid with flax fiber reinforcement. Experimental tests are performed in order to evaluate the durability and the ability of this material to dissipate energy. First, static tests are conducted to study the bending behaviour of the sandwich beams, as well as to determine the failure… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Effect of Steam Explosion Technology Main Parameters on Moso Bamboo and Poplar Fiber

    Biqing Shu, Qin Ren, Lu Hong, Zhongping Xiao, Xiaoning Lu, Wenya Wang, Junbao Yu,Naiqiang Fu, Yiming Gu, Jinjun Zheng
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.3, pp. 585-597, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.012932
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract One of the large-scale industrial applications of Moso bamboo and poplar in China is the production of standardized fiberboard. When making fiberboard, a steam blasting pretreatment without the addition of traditional adhesives has become increasingly popular because of its environmental friendliness and wide applicability. In this study, the steam explosion pretreatment of Moso bamboo and poplar was conducted. The steam explosion pressure and holding time were varied to determine the influence of these factors on fiber quality by investigating the morphology of the fiber, the mass ratio of the unexploded specimen at the end face, the chemical composition, and the… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Prediction and Analysis of Post-Treatment of Sustainable Walnut Shell/Co-PES Parts by Laser Sintering

    Yueqiang Yu, Suling Wang, Minzheng Jiang, Yanling Guo, Ting Jiang
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.2, pp. 351-364, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.012885
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract In order to enhance the strength of sustainable walnut shell/Co-PES (WSPC) sintered parts, wax-filtrated post-treatment was carried out. The effects of treating fluid temperature, preheating time and immersion time on the bending strength of WSPC wax-filtrated parts were analyzed by single factor analysis method. To obtain an accurate model for predicting the bending strength of the WSPC wax-filtrated part, the experiments were involved by using Box-Behnken design (BBD). Main parameters, such as treating fluid temperature, preheating time and immersion time, and their interactive effects were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and graphical contours. The results demonstrated that all parameters’… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Experimental Study on Inert Gas-assisted Laser Cut Veneer Based on LOM

    Qingwei Liu, Chunmei Yang, Qian Miao, Yifan Liu, Jiuqing Liu, Wenji Yu
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.12, pp. 1681-1689, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.012031
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract Based on the LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing) process, an inert gas-assisted laser method for wood cutting was proposed. The carbonization degree of wood surface was improved by the introduction of helium (He) gas, and the influence of process parameters on the carbonization layer of wood surface was solved, it was significance to reduce the post-processing of LOM and improve the quality of forming workpiece. The cherry wood veneer was used as the experimental material, under the condition of the same process parameters, the wood was cut with or without inert gas-assisted, and the influence factors of kerf quality were studied… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Decorative Wood Fiber/High-Density Polyethylene Composite with Canvas or Polyester Fabric

    Jialin Lv, Rao Fu, Yinan Liu, Xuelian Zhou, Weihong Wang, Pengbo Xie, Tingwei Hu
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.8, pp. 879-890, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.010728
    (This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polymeric Composites Based on Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Materials)
    Abstract Wood-plastic composite is an environmentally friendly material, due to its use of recycled thermoplastics and plant fibers. However, its surface lacks attractive aesthetic qualities. In this paper, a method of decorating wood fiber/ high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) without adding adhesive was explored. Canvas or polyester fabrics were selected as the surface decoration materials. The influence of hot-pressing temperature and WF/HDPE ratio on the adhesion was studied. The surface bonding strength, water resistance, and surface color were evaluated, and observation within the infrared spectrum and under scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the bonding process. The results showed that the fabric… More >

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