Flexible strength-improved and crack-resistant biocomposites based on plasticised wheat gluten reinforced with a flax-fibre-weave

Published Date
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
March 2017, Vol.94:61–69, doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.12.016

• Author 

• Q. Wu ^a,,
• J. Rabu ^a
• K. Goulin ^a
• C. Sainlaud ^a
• F. Chen ^a
• E. Johansson ^b
• R.T. Olsson ^a
• M.S. Hedenqvist ^a,,

• aDepartment of Fibre and Polymer Technology, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
• bDepartment of Plant Breeding, Box 101, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden

Received 27 June 2016. Revised 11 December 2016. Accepted 14 December 2016. Available online 18 December 2016. 

Abstract

This paper presents strength-improved and crack-resistant wheat gluten biocomposites, using flax-fibre-weaves as reinforcement. The composites were produced by dip-coating of the weave into a wheat gluten/glycerol (WGG) solution, or by compression moulding. The most extensive coverage and wetting of the flax yarns occurred during the compression moulding, and the adhesion between the fibres and the matrix increased with increasing glycerol content. The compression-moulded sheets were, at a comparable flax content, stiffer than those produced by dipping, whereas their strength was similar and their extensibility slightly lower. Tensile tests on notched samples showed that the flax yarn improved the crack-resistant properties significantly; the maximum stress increased from 2 to 29 MPa using a content of 19 wt.% flax fibres. A clear advantage of this novel mechanically flexible biocomposite is that it can be shaped plastically under ambient conditions, while at the same time providing in-plane stiffness, strength and crack-resistance.

Graphical abstract

“Flexible strength-improved and crack-resistant biocomposites based on plasticised wheat gluten reinforced with a flax-fibre-weave”.

Flexible and strength-improved wheat gluten-based biocomposite reinforced with flax-fibre-weave, having crack-resistant properties.

Keywords

• A. Fibres
• A. Biocomposites
• B. Fracture toughness
• B. Mechanical properties

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• DOCX (603K)

Supplementary data 1

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  Corresponding authors.
  
  

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