Lignin is an undervalued but abundant natural resource available as a byproduct in the pulping industry. In this work, the potential of Kraft lignin as reinforcement for commercially available soft epoxy matrices was evaluated. Composites with lignin content up to 40 wt% were prepared using a solvent-free mixing process. The composites were characterized using dynamic mechanical and uniaxial tensile tests, and their morphology observed with electron microscopy. The preparation of the composites relied on molecular blending of the components, rather than complex chemical modifications on the lignin, to achieve remarkable improvements in mechanical and thermal properties. The reinforcement mechanisms were evaluated with respect to chemical and morphological characteristics of the composites.

Molecular blending and reinforcing effect of lignin in ductile epoxy resins

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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