On the Physical and Mechanical Properties of some Biodegradable Polymer Matrix Composites, with Bast Wowen Textile Reinforcements

The polymer matrix composites reinforced with textile fibers are a relatively new class of materials, showing a dynamic development. The characteristics of the final material could be tailored, by choosing suitable properties of the polymer matrix and the textile insertion, together with the proper proportion of the material constituents, and its manufacturing technology. As a result, one can obtain some composite materials having low densities, but high values of strength and flexibility, good corrosion resistance and sound insulation properties. In the present paper, some different types of biodegradable composites, based on different variants of a proteinic polymer matrix, with bast woven textile reinforcements were tested. In terms of mechanical behavior, one can assume that the investigated composites have quite similar properties, but it appears that the best of the strength and stiffness properties (combined with lowest ductility) were obtained for the proteinic matrix that was treated with plasticizers and crosslinking agents.