Biocomposites from Starch-based Biopolymer and Rape Fibers. Part II: Stiffening, Flexural and Impact Strength, and Product Development

Rape biomass was the raw material for the preparation of thermomechanical fibers, and it was used to reinforce starch-based biopolymer. In this study, the mechanical properties of the produced biocomposites, including flexural strength, Young’ s and flexural moduli and impact strength, were characterized. Afterwards, the material properties were simulated to evaluate its suitability for substituting for oil-based raw materials. The results showed that the intrinsic flexural strength of rape fibers was 2.25 times of that of rape fibers. The impact strength of rape/starch biocomposites decreased with the increment in the reinforcement, even though the work to crack initiation slightly augmented with the fiber proportion increase. After the mechanical property analysis, the prepared biocomposites were tested as replacing materials for the development of real oil-based products. The engineering development stands out the feasibility of using these materials to develop new products truly based on bio-resources.