Russian, Indian and Thai researchers develop composites from coconut waste

In Russia, an international research team from Russia, India and Thailand has presented a technology for manufacturing a reinforcement (strengthening) composite from a waste coconut leaf sheath (CLS). Due to its lightness and strength, it can be used to cover autobahns, create interiors for railway cars and airplanes, as well as for domestic needs. The results of the study have been published in the Polymer Composites journal.

NUST MISIS scientists, together with colleagues from India and Thailand, have made a so-called green composite, which is based on coconut fiber reinforced with a phenol-formaldehyde composite (based on phenol resin, a synthetic polymer).

Coconut fiber composites with 60% and 40% phenol formaldehyde were made by hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding. The study was carried out by testing tensile, flexural, impact strength, as well as measuring the rate of water absorption and biodegradability characteristics. 

According to the developers, the results confirm the superior mechanical properties of the green composite compared to natural coconut fiber are driven by the low content of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and reduced impurities.