Title: Biobased composition boards made from cotton gin and guayule wastes: select physical and mechanical properties

Authors: Gregory A. Holt, Terry A. Coffelt, Poo Chow, Francis S. Nakayama

Addresses: USDA-ARS, Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit, 1604 E. FM 1294, Lubbock, TX 79403, USA. ' USDA-ARS, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, 21881 North Cardon Lane, Maricopa, AZ 85239, USA. ' University of Illinois, W-503 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA. ' USDA-ARS, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, 21881 North Cardon Lane, Maricopa, AZ 85239, USA

Abstract: Using biomass materials such as cotton gin byproducts (CGB) and guayule wastes in value-added products can help the economics of these crops, and additionally, aid in alleviating waste management and environmental problems. A study was conducted to assess important physical and mechanical properties of composition boards made from select CGB and guayule waste. Boards were made from five different ratios of cotton gin and guayule wastes: 100 : 0, 75 : 25, 50 : 50, 25 : 75, and 0 : 100. Overall, the biobased CGB and guayule waste boards showed great potential. However, refinement is needed to further enhance the performance of these biomasses for composite board applications.

Keywords: composite boards; cotton gin waste; guayule bagasse; guayule waste; bio-based composite materials; biocomposites; biomass; natural fibres.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.027823

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.36 No.1/2/3/4, pp.104 - 114

Published online: 12 Aug 2009 *

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