Comparative study between poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) - EVA expanded composites filled with banana fiber and wood flour

The objective of this study is to develop expanded composites of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) filled with two vegetable reinforcements (banana fiber or wood flour) as well as to evaluate the influence of the type, size and concentration of these reinforcements on the cell growth and their morphological, mechanical, thermal and physical properties. The results indicated that the natural fibers act as nucleating agents and affect the cells stability during the formation of the cellular structure in the expanded composites. The mechanical properties of the expanded composites are directly related to the composite expansion degree. Comparative results of the use of vegetable residues indicate that wood flour reinforcement provides more homogeneous cells, while banana fibers restrict the expandability of the composite and its density

Performance of Bio-Based polymeric agricultural mulch films

In order to improve yields and crop traits, polymeric films are commonly used to cover soils like agricultural mulches. Its use provides important benefits to farmers and the environment, as they maintain humidity, temperature and prevent the growth of weeds. However, the most widely used mulches are mainly made of low-density polyethylene. The use of PE films or other non-biodegradable polymers present great environmental and economic disadvantages for responsible farmers, who must remove them before the next crop period. The objective of this chapter is to discuss the main properties presented by the biodegradable and bio-based materials that have recently been proposed for this application, what is their effect on the yields of different crops in which they have been tested, as well as their biodegradation time and their effect on the soil quality will also be analyzed. Finally, based on these findings and the recently approved new standard for biodegradable agricultural mulches, the materials that will set trends in the future will be remarked.Fil: Merino, Danila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Mansilla, Andrea Yamila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Casalongue, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentin