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The potential use of sustainable polymer based composites, obtained from renewable resources, is revised in terms of properties and envisaged applications. Using the typical specifications required within the automotive industry as reference, the potential of these composites is evaluated and some alternative routes for property improvement are discussed. Specific examples of the development of biodegradable polymeric composites are presented including the use of different types of matrixes, e.g. starch based blends and poly(lactic acid), and two types of natural reinforcements, i.e. fibres from pine and cellulose. This paper also presents and compares the mechanical properties and morphologies obtained on injection moulding composite parts made with different combinations of biodegradable matrixes and fibre reinforcements subjected to different physical and chemical treatments. The damage caused to the fibres during the compounding and injection moulding processing stages was studied too.

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BACKGROUND: Cytisus scoparius samples were processed with hot, compressed water (autohydrolysis treatments) to obtain both fiber-containing solids (suitable as reinforcements for composites) and a liquid phase containing sugar oligomers derived from hemicelluloses. The solid phase from autohydrolysis, mainly made up of cellulose and lignin, was employed for manufacturing polylactic acid (PLA)-based biodegradable composites. The mechanical properties, water uptake and thermal properties of composites were assessed.