EVALUATING THE CARBON STORAGE POTENTIAL OF FURAN RESIN-BASED GREEN COMPOSITES

摘要

Furan resin (polyfurfuryl alcohol) is a biosynthetic thermoset derived from vegetable byproducts such as corn cobs. Compared to other common resins, this highly stable polymer offers a very significant improvement in the carbon storage potential of green composites when used as a matrix. In this paper, the mechanical and environmental aspects of furan-based natural fiber-reinforced plastic composites (NFRP) are measured quantitatively and evaluated in comparison to those of an equivalent thermosetbased NFRP, using orthophthalic-type unsaturated polyester (ortho-UP) as representative petroleum derived synthetic thermoset. The carbon storage potential comparison is performed to quantitatively determine the possibility of the more eco-friendly furan as a feasible replacement to the more conventionally used ortho-UP in various long-term applications.