Dear Joanna, thank you for interesting study. I would like to ask you, what could be an application of such composite material composed of PLA/Cork? What are the mechanical properties of such materials (for example in the case of 90/10 PLA/Cork)? What is a capacity of the micro-extruder MiniLab? Is there known some minimum weight to be processed?
Thank you for your interest in our work.
Generally, composites with cork, depending on the filler content (but not more than 30%), present better or similar mechanical properties compared with neat matrix, but in our research we did not investigate the mechanical properties.
Cork is a versatile material of natural origins. It has excellent properties, such as a low mass, density, and thermal coefficient; good electrical, thermal, acoustic, and vibration insulation; buoyant ability; and impermeability to gases and liquids. It also exhibits elasticity and deformation without fracturing under compression and has considerable durability. Therefore, composites with cork can be used as a lightweight construction material that meets the standards for flame retardancy, e.g. as damping material inside the superstructures and cabs of vehicles and aircrafts.
For the micro-extruder MiniLab Thermo-Haake, the minimum capacity is 10 g but practically 15-20 g.
PLA/CORK properties and application?
Dear Joanna, thank you for interesting study. I would like to ask you, what could be an application of such composite material composed of PLA/Cork? What are the mechanical properties of such materials (for example in the case of 90/10 PLA/Cork)? What is a capacity of the micro-extruder MiniLab? Is there known some minimum weight to be processed?
Re: PLA/CORK properties and application?
Thank you for your interest in our work.
Generally, composites with cork, depending on the filler content (but not more than 30%), present better or similar mechanical properties compared with neat matrix, but in our research we did not investigate the mechanical properties.
Cork is a versatile material of natural origins. It has excellent properties, such as a low mass, density, and thermal coefficient; good electrical, thermal, acoustic, and vibration insulation; buoyant ability; and impermeability to gases and liquids. It also exhibits elasticity and deformation without fracturing under compression and has considerable durability. Therefore, composites with cork can be used as a lightweight construction material that meets the standards for flame retardancy, e.g. as damping material inside the superstructures and cabs of vehicles and aircrafts.
For the micro-extruder MiniLab Thermo-Haake, the minimum capacity is 10 g but practically 15-20 g.