Furfural-based Bioresins for Fiber-reinforced Bioplastics

Poly(Furfuryl Alcohol), PFA, is obtained from a condensation polymerisation of furfuryl alcohol (FA). FA is made from furfural , which is manufactured from a variety of biomass. Generic structure of PFA

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

[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:

New Green Materials

Furfural By-products

Bioplastics