Natural fibre composites with furanic thermoset resins. Comparison between polyfurfuryl alcohol and humins from sugar conversion

Industrial humins from biorefining process of sugars were used as reactive thermoset matrix for the preparation humins-jute fibre composites. This material was investigated and benchmarked with jute composites prepared polyfurfurylalcohol (PFA), a well-known biobased thermosetting resin The Dynamic Mechanical Analyses (DMA) showed glass transition temperature (Tg) associated to relaxation cross-linked humins’ chains at 75 °C similar Tg PFA. two types revealed tensile properties in same range both materials demonstrated very low water uptake good dimensional stability after immersion liquid water. Such higher hydrophobicity compared raw mat is consequence interfacial interaction furanic fibres agreement SEM observations. Fire performance also investigated, demonstrating that fire hazard not increased by presence matrix. Interestingly, slightly better than PFA thermal fire-induced toxicity threats. study possibility using industrial instead thermoset-like next generation