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Novel Lightweight Construction Composites from Agro-Materials and Wastes

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2022) | Viewed by 6191

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Adeline Goullieux

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Guest Editor

EPROAD, SFR Condorcet FR CNRS 3417, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
Interests: agro-materials; process engineering; eco-design; multi-scale characterization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In order to preserve natural resources and the environment, the construction sector is interested in the development of nearly zero energy buildings. Lightweight composites can help to achieve this objective. The common characteristic of lightweight composites is their thermal, and even acoustic, insulation ability related to their structure. There are two ways to obtain lightweight insulating materials: create a porous structure or use lightweight components. The reuse of wastes or byproducts as raw materials in substitution of nonrenewable constituents offers an interesting alternative to meet the challenge of their elimination and solve an environmental problem. If the raw materials constituting the composites are local materials, they do not need to be transported over long distances. Therefore, transportation costs, environmental pollution, and carbon footprint can be reduced and local renewable supply systems can be set up.

This Special Issue will provide readers with up-to-date information on the recent progress in lightweight construction composites with mineral or organic matrix obtained by upgrading local materials, wastes, or byproducts from agriculture or industries. Topics of interest may be related to the following areas:

The treatment of the local materials and wastes before their use;
The development of the eco-composites;
The thermal, mechanical, hygric, multi-scale characterization of the composites;
The environmental behavior of the composites in relation to service life and end-of-life;
The modeling and prediction of the properties of the composites.

Dr. Adeline Goullieux
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

eco-composites
sustainability
local materials
wastes and byproducts
physical properties
environmental behavior
property modeling and prediction

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal, Morphological and Mechanical Properties of a BioPE Matrix Composite: Case of Shell, Pulp, and Argan Cake as Biofillers

by Jihane Zeghlouli, Nicola Schiavone, Haroutioun Askanian, Amine Guendouz, Cherkaoui El Modafar, Philippe Michaud and Cédric Delattre

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2241; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062241 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1080

Abstract

Extrusion and hot compressing molding processes were used to create bio-polyethylene (BioPE) composites reinforced with argan byproducts (shell, pulp, and argan cake) as bio-fillers. The thermal stability of the composites wass analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Dynamical mechanical analysis and rheological testing were used to investigate their mechanical properties. The morphological results showed a good adhesion between the argan and BioPE matrix. More efficient mechanical properties have been distinguished in the case of argan byproduct-based composite. A higher Young’s modulus was noted for all the biocomposites compared to pure BioPE. Thermal analysis revealed that the addition of bio-filler to polymer reduced decomposition temperatures. This study provides an ecological alternative for upgrading the valorization of abundant and underutilized Moroccan biomass. Furthermore, the possibility of using argan byproducts in composite manufacturing will help open up new markets for what is currently considered waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Lightweight Construction Composites from Agro-Materials and Wastes)

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16 pages, 3533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selected Properties of Single and Multi-Layered Particleboards with the Structure Modified by Fibers Implication

by Anita Wronka, Piotr Beer and Grzegorz Kowaluk

Materials 2022, 15(23), 8530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238530 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1066

Abstract

One of the ways of potential improvement of the particleboard properties, especially surface quality, can be the incorporation of wood fibers to face layers. This study aimed to evaluate the selected mechanical and physical parameters of single and multi-layered particleboards with the structure modified by the incorporation of various types and amounts of wood fibers. Single, 3- and 5-layers particleboards were produced with two different types of wood fibers added to the face and core layers. The basic mechanical parameters (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, surface soundness), as well as density profile and surface roughness, have been investigated. The results have shown that the single-layer panels with fibers did not meet the standard requirements due to unsatisfactory unstable parameters, probably caused by uneven resination. The remaining panels, 3- and 5-layer, met the standard requirements, and, due to fiber incorporation, there is also potential to reduce the panel density, still meeting standard requirements. The addition of fibers from 0% to 75% in face layers leads to an increase in the modulus of rupture from 10.6 N mm⁻² to 15.6 N mm⁻². Depending on the fibers’ type, the surface soundness can vary between 0.7 N mm⁻² and 1.2 N mm⁻². Five-layer panels were of similar or even higher parameters, but due to much-complicated technology, it seems unreasonable to develop this type of composite. The novelty of the conducted research is the attempt to modify the structure of particleboards by adding various amounts of two different types of fibers by mixing them with particles or adding them as separate layers and producing panels of different densities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Lightweight Construction Composites from Agro-Materials and Wastes)

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Review

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27 pages, 2420 KiB

Open AccessReview

Alternative Materials from Agro-Industry for Wood Panel Manufacturing—A Review

by Nicolas Neitzel, Reza Hosseinpourpia, Thomas Walther and Stergios Adamopoulos

Materials 2022, 15(13), 4542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134542 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3422

Abstract

The growing demand for wood-based panels for buildings and furniture and the increasing worldwide concern for reducing the pressure on forest resources require alternatives to wood raw materials. The agricultural industry not only can provide raw materials from non-wood plants but also numerous residues and side streams. This review supplies an overview of the availability, chemical composition, and fiber characteristics of non-wood lignocellulosic materials and agricultural residues, i.e., grow care residues, harvest residues, and process residues, and their relevance for use in wood panel manufacturing. During the crop harvest, there are millions of tons of residues in the form of stalks, among other things. Usually, these are only available seasonally without using storage capacity. Process residues, on the other hand, can be taken from ongoing production and processed further. Fiber characteristics and chemical composition affect the panel properties. Alternatives to wood with long fibers and high cellulose content offer sufficient mechanical strength in different panel types. In general, the addition of wood substitutes up to approximately 30% provides panels with the required strength properties. However, other parameters must be considered, such as pressing temperature, adhesive type, press levels, and pretreatments of the raw material. The search for new raw materials for wood panels should focus on availability throughout the year, the corresponding chemical requirements and market competition. Panel type and production process can be adapted to different raw materials to fit niche products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Lightweight Construction Composites from Agro-Materials and Wastes)

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