Sustainable Epoxy Composites with UV Resistance Based on New Kraft Lignin Coatings
Rubén Seoane-Rivero,
Patricia Ares-Elejoste,
Koldo Gondra,
Sara Amini,
Pedro-Luis de Hoyos,
Maria Gonzalez-Alriols
Affiliations
Rubén Seoane-Rivero
GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Edificio 202, 48170 Zamudio, Spain
Patricia Ares-Elejoste
GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Edificio 202, 48170 Zamudio, Spain
Koldo Gondra
GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Edificio 202, 48170 Zamudio, Spain
Sara Amini
Biorefinery Processes Research Group, Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Pedro-Luis de Hoyos
Biorefinery Processes Research Group, Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Maria Gonzalez-Alriols
Biorefinery Processes Research Group, Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Currently, the composite industry is focusing on more environmentally friendly resources in order to generate a new range of biobased materials. In this manuscript, we present a new work using lignocellulosic wastes from the paper industry to incorporate into biobased epoxy systems. The manufactured materials were composed of kraft lignin, glass fiber, and a sustainable epoxy system, obtaining a 40% biobased content. Using a vacuum infusion process, we fabricated the composites and analyzed their mechanical and UV resistance properties. The findings reveal a significant correlation between the lignin content and flexural modulus and strength, showing an increase of 69% in the flexural modulus and 134% in the flexural strength with the presence of 5% of lignin content. Moreover, it is necessary to highlight that the presence of synthesized lignin inhibits the UV degradation of the biobased epoxy coating. We propose that the use of lignocellulosic-based wastes could improve the mechanical properties and generate UV resistance in the composite materials.
