Progress 07/01/00 to 06/30/05
Outputs
In 2005, we continue working on the soy adhesives for foundry applications. We received $40,000 from foundry binder industry. After initial experiments, the adhesive strength was similar as those adhesives currently used for the foundry industry. This newly developed soy adhesive reduces energy and water uses during foundry processing compared to the existing adhesives. Besides, no odor was released in during curing of this soy adhesive. Two drawbacks of this adhesive were identified: one is too viscous for foundry application that the sand after coating has lower flowability, which will not be compatible to the existing molding facilities; the second one is slow curing using conventional curing technology. We have prepared soy binder with lower viscosity (1285 cp with 28 s-1 shear rate). The flowability of the sand samples with this soy binder is very similar to that with Foseco binder (by observation). Microwave curing was identified that took about 1-2 min with
desirable curng strength. The curing compressive strength of the sand samples with 1 percent by solid weight of the low viscosity soy binder was in the range from 2.6 to 3.9 MPa without mold loading pressure. Aging and water absorption are under currently studied. Provisional patent was filed in early 2005. Industrial proposal phase II is under development.
Impacts
Large amount of formaldehyde-based adhesives are annually used in iron and steel casting industry. Formaldehyde emission causes unpleasant environmental problems in the workshops and may lead to various known or unknown health problems of workers due to long term exposing to such environment. It is necessary to develop biobased environmental friendly adhesives to replace or reduce the usage of formaldehyde-based adhesives. This technology adds value to soybeans and benefit to soybean producers in Kansas and the USA.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
We developed soy polymer based adhesives for iron and steel casting industry. This adhesive has strong tacky property. The adhesive strength was similar as those adhesives currently used for the industry. This newly developed soy adhesive reduces energy and water uses during foundry processing compared to the existing adhesives. Besides, no odor was released in during curing of this soy adhesive. The viscosity of the adhesive and curing speed still need to be improved to meet all specifications required by the industry. We are currently working on this project to improve of the soy adhesive and meanwhile maintain adhesion strength and water resistance; to improve curing speed of the soy adhesive by applying nontraditional curing technologies; and to investigate pre-coating performance of the adhesives on substrates. One patent disclosure was filed and provisional patent will be filed soon. An industrial contact for funding is in the process.
Impacts
Large amount of formaldehyde-based adhesives are annually used in iron and steel casting industry. Formaldehyde emission causes unpleasant environmental problems in the workshops and may lead to various known or unknown health problems of workers due to long term exposing to such environment. It is necessary to develop biobased environmental friendly adhesives to replace or reduce the usage of formaldehyde-based adhesives. This technology adds value to soybeans and benefit to soybean producers in Kansas and the USA.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Energy crisis and environmental issues urge humanity to find new ways to secure sustainable world development - renewable biomass materials for bioenergy and bioproducts. Soybean is a major economical crop in the U.S. Kansas ranks number one in grain production including wheat, soybean, corn, and sorghum. Soy proteins, oils, and carbohydrates are naturally occurring polymers and have shown great potential for biofuels and bioproducts. The goal of this research is to research and develop biobased adhesives. The objective this year was to develop adhesives that can be alternatives to urea formaldehyde resins for particle boards. One patent has been approved and a new technology has been recently filed. The adhesive is currently being evaluated at an industry sector for possible commercial feasibility evaluation. In 2003, we have made significant progress towards technology commercialization of one soy adhesive product in collaboration with large resin and feedstock
companies. Pilot scale testing is progressively undergoing. Market size of this product will be up to 2 billion pounds. New adhesives based on soy protein materials have been also developed and are under evaluation for more applications.
Impacts
This research goal addresses the needs described in the USDA programs for biomass industrial bioenergy and bioproducts. Kansas is an agriculture based state. This research will help to promote Kansas farm economy, ease environment pollution, and improve biofuel industry sustainability by providing technologies for high value co-products of the biofuel system. This research will significantly strengthen KSU research infrastructure for soybean research, which will significantly leverage BIVAP facility, and impact USDA and DOEs missions in biomass research, and lead national soybean research and other agriculture commodities for industrial uses.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Bioplastics were derived from Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and crop starch. PLA is produced from starch by converting starch into sugar, lactic acids, and then polymerizing lactic acids. Blending starch with PLA would improve stiffness of PLA above 60 degrees C, reduce cost for raw materials, and increase biodegradability. The goal of this research was to develop bioplastics from starch and PLA with improved mechanical properties that can be used in a broad range of disposable applications. Objective of this year was to further improve thermal and mechanical properties of PLA/starch blends. Environmental friendly coupling reagents were tested. One FDA proof chemical was identified to significantly improve mechanical properties of PLA/starch blends at 55 to 45 ratio. A patent has been recently filed.
Impacts
The composite of starch and PLA, which can be processed into molded articles, films, and foams, would reduce costs and accelerate commercialization of PLA. The market potential of starch and PLA blends could be large in the near future. For example, PLA is projected to have a world-wide market of 36 billion pounds. Having 1 percent of the market for the newly developed composites could lead to a major usage of agricultural products, which would create jobs in the agricultural economy. This will add value to agricultural commodities, which is one of the major tasks of USDA/Value-Added Programs (71.2). This research will also impact the missions of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has potential for use in disposable and biodegradable plastics. Blending starch with PLA would increase biodegradability and reduce costs. However, the brittleness of the starch/PLA blend is a major drawback for many applications. The objective of this study was to characterize thermal and mechanical properties of PLA/starch blends with addition of six plasticizers at various levels. Three groups of plasticizers were used: 1) acetyl triethyl citrate (AC) and triethyl citrate (TC); 2) poly(ethyl glycol)(PEG) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) of low molecular weight and containing an ether group that might interact with PLA; and 3) glycerol and sorbitol, which are miscible with starch. The PLA and cornstarch were blended at a 60:40 weight ratio by using a lab-scale twin-screw extruder with addition of these plasticizers ranging from 5% to 25%. The thermal transition temperatures (glass transition, crystallization, and melting) of the extruded
PLA/starch blends decreased as AC, TC, and PEG contents increased. The PPG almost had no effect on the transition temperatures of the blends. Cold crystallization and meltimg temperatures of PLA increased slightly with increasing sorbitol content. Glycerol reduced the cold crystallization and melting temperatures, but had no effect on the glass transition temperature. Starch formed a continuous phase in the presence of 25% sorbitol or 15, 20, 25% glycerol. The TC and PEG enhanced the crystallization of PLA. The annealed samples containing glycerol had the highest crystallinity. As concentration of AC, TC, PEG, PPG, and glycerol increased, tensile strength and Auto Young's Modulus of the extruded and molded blends decreased, and elongation increased in comparison to the blend without plasticizers.
Impacts
The composite of starch and PLA, which can be processed into molded articles, films, and foams, would reduce costs and accelerate commercialization of PLA. The market potential of starch and PLA blends could be large in the near future. For example, PLA is projected to have a world-wide market of 36 billion pounds. Having 1% of the market for the newly developed composites could lead to a major usage of agricultural products, which would create jobs in the agricultural economy.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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