Abstract
Composites based on natural polymers alone are extremely sensitive to moisture and their mechanical properties deteriorate upon the absorption of water, limiting their usefulness in practical applications. Ongoing research cooperation between USDA and the University of Pisa, Italy, has yielded several composites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and corn fibers (CF). In this study, variable amounts of CF and PVA were processed in the presence of both dry and liquid plasticizers, glycerol and pentaerythritol. Cornstarch was introduced in the formulation to reduce the cost and to further increase the composition of natural components in the composites. Composites made with as low as 30% PVA were injection molded into tensile bars and evaluated. The addition of starch moderately reduced the tensile properties of the composites, lowering the elongation (∼600% to 400%) and increasing Young's modulus (∼36 MPa to ∼100 MPa) while the ultimate tensile strength remained constant at about 8 MPa. Composites prepared from CF and PVA showed little change in their mechanical properties even after conditioning them at various relative humidities, or after soaking in water. Composites tested after storage for one year, at 50% relative humidity and 23°C, exhibited mechanical properties similar to those of freshly prepared composites.
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*Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standards of the product and the use of the name USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.
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Cinelli, P., Chiellini, E., Lawton, J.W. et al. Properties of Injection Molded Composites Containing Corn Fiber and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol). J Polym Res 13, 107–113 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-005-9012-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-005-9012-z