Mechanical properties of boards made in biocomposites reinforced with wood and Posidonia oceanica fibers

The development of biocomposites has valorized some natural products related to natural processes or crop industries. In this regard, Posidonia oceanica is a marine phanerogam typical of Mediterranean coasts, in which due to tourism industry a lot of resources are destined to remove and treat Posidonia residues left on beaches. In this work an alternative to recycle this natural waste has been studied. Biocomposites with Posidonia and pine-wood particles were tested as an alternative to structural wood particle boards used in construction. Different substitution ratios (pine by Posidonia) were prepared in two different polymeric matrices and their mechanical properties were tested. Particles boards made in 75% Posidonia oceanica and 25% wood particles and a MDI matrix (20-30% by fibers mass) showed the best strength and stiffness to density ratios. This stiffness was even similar to a panel made totally in wood and MDI in the same dosage, i.e. 75% of pine fibers could be replaced by Posidonia with low stiffness loss. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.