Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


WattP_dis (final comments).pdf (5.34 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Soy-Based Fillers for Thermoset Composites

Watt, Paula
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1436431761

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
Considerable work has been done with bio-based fillers in thermoplastics. Wood dust has been used for decades in wood plastic composites in conjunction with recycled high HDPE and PET. In recent years rapidly renewable fillers derived from dried distillery grains and from wood have been introduced commercially for thermoset polymers. These fillers provide bio-content and weight reduction to thermoset molding compounds but issues with moisture absorption and polymerization inhibition have limited their commercial acceptance. The intent of this research was to develop a bio-based filler suitable for thermoset composites. This filler would provide a low density alternative to mined mineral filler, such as CaCO3 or clay. Composites made with these fillers would be lighter in weight, which is desirable for many markets, particularly transportation. Cost parity to the mineral fillers, on a volume basis, was desirable and the use of green chemistry principles was a key objective of the project. This work provides a basis from which further development of modified soy flours as fillers for thermoset composites will continue. Biomass has been evaluated as fillers for thermoset composites since the early 1980s but failed to gain commercial acceptance due to excessive water absorption and inhibition issues with free radical curing. Biomass, with a large percentage of carbohydrates, are very hydrophilic due to their abundance of hydroxyl groups, while biomass, high in lignin, resulted in inhibition of the free radical cure of the unsaturated styrenated polyester matrix systems. Generally protein use as a filler is not desirable due to its food value. Torrefaction has proved to be a good, cost effective, process to reduce hydrophilicity of high cellulose feedstock. Surprising, however, some levels of torrefaction were found to induce the inhibition effect of the filler. Scientific inquiry into this problem proved that aromatics form during the torrefaction process and can become problematic when threshold levels are reached. Studies to determine suitable levels and appropriate processes provided options for manufacture of suitable fillers.
Coleen Pugh (Advisor)
196 p.
Polymers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Watt, P. (2015). Soy-Based Fillers for Thermoset Composites [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1436431761

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Watt, Paula. Soy-Based Fillers for Thermoset Composites . 2015. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1436431761.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Watt, Paula. "Soy-Based Fillers for Thermoset Composites ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1436431761

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1436431761
1,810
© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.