Natural Fibres + Poly(Furfurly Alcohol)= Light weight structural panels
Biomass-based furan resins are mainly known in the foundry industry. In addition, user-friendly furan resin systems have been developed for variety of composite applications [1]. Besides the use in the automotive industry, PFA composites have a high thermal stability and could also be used in interior of aircraft cabins, internal fittings for buildings, rail carriages or in the built environment [2].
Some fibre-reinforced PFA options:
Cellulosic fibre, e.g.: flax, hemp, sisal, bagasse or wood
Non-woven cellulose fibres
Carbon fibres or glass fibres
Mineral or graphite filler for use as a cementing binder for chemical resistant polymer concrete.
Eco-friendly thermo-stable bioresin:
PFA blended with lignin increases the biocomposite resin’s strength[3]
References:
[1] Application of novel furan resins in composites, Dr. IR. Hans E. Hoydonckx, & Dr. IR. Wim M. Van Rhijn, Transfurans Chemical. [2] Kumar, R and Anandjiwala, R. 2009. Flax reinforced thermoset composites from poly(furfuryl alcohol). 11th International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20-25 September 2009, pp 1-20 AND Kumar, R and Anandjiwala, R. 2012. Alternative fuels from waste cellulosic substrates and poly furfuryl alcohol. Fuel, vol. 93, pp 703-705. [3] Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, Volume 299, Issue 5, pages 552–559, May 2014: Renewable-Resource-Based Green Blends from Poly(furfuryl alcohol) Bioresin and Lignin.Also see:
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