Biocomposite materials from flax plants: Preparation and properties

Natural biocomposite materials were prepared consisting of a crosslinked natural matrix and natural fibres. Non-woven flax fibres material was chosen as a reinforcement and mucilage polysaccharides, extracted from linseeds, were used as a matrix. The matrix was crosslinked With glutaraldehyde and glycerol was added as plasticizer. The kinetic of the sorption of the water- vapour by the composite was the lowest when the material was made with mucilage extracted at 40 degrees C. The largest swelling was 33% for 97% of relative humidity. The best mechanical performances of the composite were also obtained when the 40 degrees C mucilage Was used as matrix: sigma(B) = 15 MPa, epsilon(B) = 8%, E = 500 MPa. The increase of both rigidity and strength might be due to the high protein content that crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Glycerol made the composites less brittle. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.