Title: Hybrid composites based on fibres of marine origin

Authors: Emo Chiellini, Patrizia Cinelli, Vassilka Ivanova Ilieva, Francesco Zimbardi, Nick Kanellopoulos, Bruno De Wilde, Steven Verstichel, Andrea Pipino, Bernd Anders, Jean Francois Sassi

Addresses: UdR Consortium INSTM – Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Risorgimento 35, 56126 Pisa, Italy. ' UdR Consortium INSTM – Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Risorgimento 35, 56126 Pisa, Italy. ' UdR Consortium INSTM – Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Risorgimento 35, 56126 Pisa, Italy. ' ENEA, Biomass Laboratory, CR Trisaia, 75026 Rotondella MT, Italy. ' Materials and Membranes for Environmental Applications, Laboratory National Center for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', 15310 Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece. ' Organic Waste Systems, Dok Noord 4, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. ' Organic Waste Systems, Dok Noord 4, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. ' Centro Ricercche FIAT, Advanced Processing Technologies, Strada Torino 50, 10043 Orbassano, Italy. ' Amt Klutzer Winkel, Schlosstrasse 1, 23948 Klutz, Germany. ' CEVA Centre d'Etude et de Valorisation des Algues, BP3, Presq'uile de Pen Lan, 22610 Pleubian, France

Abstract: A series of polymeric formulations has been prepared based on oxobiodegradable (PVA) and hydrobiodegradable (starch, PLA, Bionolle) macromolecular materials used as continuous matrices and fillers derived from a marine sea-weed (Zostera). The formulations have been submitted to processing trials under different experimental conditions selected in order to prevent the thermal decomposition of the fillers utilised in the form of powder. Composite specimen produced by either casting from water suspension and compression moulding, were submitted to mechanical characterisation with the aim of selecting formulations enabling promising practical exploitation. Composites based on blends of PLA and Bionolle, used as plasticiser turned out to be processable in tomato clip, as a typical example of agriculture environmentally compatible items, susceptible to be disposed their service life to controlled composting infrastructures together with the agricultural waste.

Keywords: hybrid composites; seaweed; marine fibres; renewable resources; mechanical properties; natural fibres; zostera; sustainability; sustainable development; biodegradability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.027819

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.36 No.1/2/3/4, pp.47 - 61

Published online: 12 Aug 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article