Environmental Hazards of Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) in the Macaronesia Region and Its Characterisation as a Potential Source for the Production of Natural Fibre Composites

Abstract

This paper summarises the results obtained from the characterisation of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) plant and fibres. The research is part of a project developed in the Macaronesia region, of which the aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of using biomass from invasive plant species in the composites sector as a way of financing control campaigns and habitats conservation labours. An experimental procedure for the extraction of fibre bundles from this plant was developed, and the material obtained was characterised in terms of chemical composition, thermogravimetry and infrared spectra to evaluate its potential application in the production of polymeric composite materials as a strategy for the valorisation of residual biomass from this invasive species in Macaronesia. Thermoplastic matrix composites with fibre content up to 40 wt.% were produced and their mechanical properties under tensile, flexural and impact loading were determined. No references on the preparation of composite materials with polyolefin matrices and giant reed fibres have been found. Results obtained from mechanical tests show a good performance of the manufactured composites, with a significant increase in both flexural and tensile stiffness; the flexural modulus is almost tripled for PE-based composites and rises to 88% with respect to PP matrix. The ultimate flexural strength and the tensile and flexural yield strength are kept at acceptable values compared to neat polymer materials, although ultimate tensile strength and impact resistance are significantly affected when natural fibres are added.

Effect of large sized reed fillers on properties and degradability of PBAT composites

“…compares the elastic modulus in this study and those reported in the literature. [31,34,35,39,45,47,[54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63] The mechanical properties of the PBAT composites prepared with largesize reeds in this study were much better than those reported in the literature for the powder-filled biomass. However, with the use of reed at 30%, the tensile strength, elongation, and impact properties of the composites decreased from 16.5 ± 0.1 MPa, 822.0 ± 0.1%, and 26.2 ± 1.1 kJ/m 2 to 11.9 ± 0.2 MPa, 27.9 ± 1.8%, and 17.6 ± 0.9 kJ/m 2 .…”

“…Comparison of elastic modulus of PBAT composites in our study and literature. [31,34,35,39,45,47,[54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63] (B) Comparison of tensile strength and elongation of PBAT composites in our study and literature. [36,41,47,54,62,64,65] patterns of PBAT and its composites.…”

A Review of Cellulosic Natural Fibers’ Properties and Their Suitability as Reinforcing Materials for Composite Panels and Applications

“…At the same time, the matrix is responsible for arresting cracks from propagation between fibers and holding fibers in the proper orientation, protecting fibers from the environment, and more importantly, transferring the load from the broken fibers to their neighboring intact fibers through the interface. 5–13…”

“…At the same time, the matrix is responsible for arresting cracks from propagation between fibers and holding fibers in the proper orientation, protecting fibers from the environment, and more importantly, transferring the load from the broken fibers to their neighboring intact fibers through the interface. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Natural fibers have attracted increased interest in the last decade as a substitute for glass fibers in composite components, especially in the housing sector. Fibers like jute, sisal, coconut fiber (coir), ramie, banana, flax, hemp, and so on, are cheap, have better stiffness per unit weight, and have a lower environmental impact.…”

Use of Ricinus communis shredded material as filler in rotational molded parts to improve the bio-disintegration behavior

“…For example, Ortega et al produced composites with 5% w/w of banana and abaca fibers with significant improvements in mechanical properties, except for impact strength [18], while Hejna et al obtained composites with up to 20% w/w of wheat bran, although only those with up to 5% content did not show significant loss of mechanical properties [1]. Buckwheat husk, reed, or bamboo are other materials proposed to broaden the options of using lignocellulosic materials [13,16,19,20]. Other authors introduced in rotomolded parts some fillers traditionally considered waste materials, such as cable covers [21] or copper slag from mining [2].…”