Conference Dates

November 8-12, 2015

Abstract

Renewable, bio-based thermosetting copolymer resins, ranging from tough and ductile rubbers to hard and glassy plastics to durable waterborne latex coatings, have been prepared by the polymerization of soybean, corn and linseed oils with various co-monomers. The development of these resin formulations with the right combination of processing viscosity, cure kinetics, and ultimate thermal mechanical properties for various manufacturing processes will be discussed. As expected, the thermal and mechanical properties, as well as the long term environmental durability of the material, are shown to be highly dependent on vegetable-oil composition, processing conditions, and co-monomer chemistry. These new bioplastic composites are likely to have a tremendous impact economically, environmentally and energy-wise, since the oils are (1) readily available in huge quantities from a renewable natural resource, (2) much cheaper than petroleum-based resins used in many polymers and composites, and (3) able to provide properties not presently available in commercial plastics.

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