Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding
This paper compares the mechanical properties of different natural fiber composites produced by rotational molding as a way of waste valorization from campaigns to control invasive plant species in Macaronesia. Rotomolded parts produced with polymeric matrices (polyethylene) and filled with up to 20...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/13/2220 |
| _version_ | 1797527837755834368 |
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| author | Zaida Ortega Francisco Romero Rubén Paz Luis Suárez Antonio Nizardo Benítez María Dolores Marrero |
| author_facet | Zaida Ortega Francisco Romero Rubén Paz Luis Suárez Antonio Nizardo Benítez María Dolores Marrero |
| author_sort | Zaida Ortega |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper compares the mechanical properties of different natural fiber composites produced by rotational molding as a way of waste valorization from campaigns to control invasive plant species in Macaronesia. Rotomolded parts produced with polymeric matrices (polyethylene) and filled with up to 20% by weight of cellulosic fibers obtained from <i>Arundo donax</i> L., <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>, and <i>Ricinus communis</i> plants were characterized in terms of tensile, flexural, and impact strength. It was found that the sieving of natural fibers allowed for their introduction in higher loadings, from 10 (for un-sieved material) to 20%; fiber size greatly affected the mechanical properties of the final parts, although some combinations were proven not to reduce the mechanical properties of the neat resin. This study is a first approach to the valorization of residues obtained from periodic campaigns of the control of invasive species performed by public authorities, usually at the local level. It is important to highlight that the main objective of this research did not focus on economically profitable activity; instead, it was focused on the reduction of wastes to be disposed from ecosystem maintenance actions and the investment of potential income into preservation policies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:49:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0508b6c2e82546aeb064407ff3553675 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:49:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-0508b6c2e82546aeb064407ff35536752023-11-22T02:49:00ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-07-011313222010.3390/polym13132220Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational MoldingZaida Ortega0Francisco Romero1Rubén Paz2Luis Suárez3Antonio Nizardo Benítez4María Dolores Marrero5Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainThis paper compares the mechanical properties of different natural fiber composites produced by rotational molding as a way of waste valorization from campaigns to control invasive plant species in Macaronesia. Rotomolded parts produced with polymeric matrices (polyethylene) and filled with up to 20% by weight of cellulosic fibers obtained from <i>Arundo donax</i> L., <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>, and <i>Ricinus communis</i> plants were characterized in terms of tensile, flexural, and impact strength. It was found that the sieving of natural fibers allowed for their introduction in higher loadings, from 10 (for un-sieved material) to 20%; fiber size greatly affected the mechanical properties of the final parts, although some combinations were proven not to reduce the mechanical properties of the neat resin. This study is a first approach to the valorization of residues obtained from periodic campaigns of the control of invasive species performed by public authorities, usually at the local level. It is important to highlight that the main objective of this research did not focus on economically profitable activity; instead, it was focused on the reduction of wastes to be disposed from ecosystem maintenance actions and the investment of potential income into preservation policies.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/13/2220rotational moldingpolyethylenenatural fiberscompositesmechanical propertiesparticle size distribution |
| spellingShingle | Zaida Ortega Francisco Romero Rubén Paz Luis Suárez Antonio Nizardo Benítez María Dolores Marrero Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding Polymers rotational molding polyethylene natural fibers composites mechanical properties particle size distribution |
| title | Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding |
| title_full | Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding |
| title_fullStr | Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding |
| title_short | Valorization of Invasive Plants from Macaronesia as Filler Materials in the Production of Natural Fiber Composites by Rotational Molding |
| title_sort | valorization of invasive plants from macaronesia as filler materials in the production of natural fiber composites by rotational molding |
| topic | rotational molding polyethylene natural fibers composites mechanical properties particle size distribution |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/13/2220 |
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