A valorization of agricultural waste for the preparation of an environmentally sustainable material

Abstract

The valorization of agricultural waste is a critical area of research aimed at transforming what is often considered waste into valuable eco-friendly materials. This study has two objectives: firstly, to design a composite material based on a thermoplastic matrix (PVC) reinforced with vegetable fibres, which is chemically treated with acetic anhydride to improve the fibre-matrix interface. Secondly, to study the effect of this treatment on the physico-mechanical properties of resulting materials. The composites developed have been characterized by various analysis techniques, namely: tensile, hardness, water uptake and density tests. The recorded results show that increasing the load rate of the chemically treated fibre tends to decrease the elongation and breaking stress of the composites and increase their hardness and stiffness.