Screwpine fibers offer renewable alternative to carbon, glass fiber
The material, developed by researchers at the University of Mauritius in collaboration with the Universidade de Vigo in Spain, combines fibers from Pandanus utilis leaves with a polylactic acid matrix. Both components are biodegradable.
Screwpine, known locally as Vacoas, has traditionally been used in Mauritius to make baskets, mats and twine. Using its leaves as a source of reinforcement could give a new application to a renewable plant resource that grows naturally on the island.
Testing found that 10% fiber loading provided the strongest overall mechanical performance. The findings were published recently in an issue of Journal of Materials Science: Polymers.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
