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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #201143
Title: Compression Molding of Phenolic Resin / Corn-based DDGS Blends

Author
item TATARA, ROBERT - NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV
item SURAPARAJU, SRIKRISHNA - NORTHERN ILLINOIN UNIV
item Rosentrater, Kurt

Submitted to: Polymers and the Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2007
Publication Date: 4/11/2007
Citation: Tatara, R., Suraparaju, S., Rosentrater, K.A. 2007. Compression Molding of Phenolic Resin / Corn-based DDGS Blends. Polymers and the Environment. 15(2):89-95.

Interpretive Summary: As the fuel ethanol industry continues to grow, research must be dedicated to augmenting the use of processing coproducts, such as Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS). Because these residues contain high fiber levels, they may be amendable to incorporation into bio-based composites. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the viability of using corn-based DDGS as a biofiller with phenolic resin, in order to produce a novel biomaterial. DDGS was blended with phenolic resin at 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 90%, by weight, and then compression molded at 51 MPa (3.7 tons/in squared) and 174 degrees C (345 degrees F). Molded specimens were tested for tensile strength. Results ranged from 37 MPa (5400 lb/in squared) to 8.3 MPa (1200 lb/in squared), while the strain ranged from 0.6 to 1.4%. DDGS concentrations between 25 and 50% retained sufficient mechanical strength, and thus represent reasonable inclusion values. Additionally, data were similar to those from other studies that have investigated biofillers. Follow-up studies should quantify the effects of altering molding parameters, including molding pressure, temperature, and time, as well as DDGS content. Additionally, strength of the DDGS composites should be optimized through the use of coupling agents or other additives.

Technical Abstract: With the rapid growth in the fuel ethanol industry in recent years, considerable research is being devoted to optimizing the use of processing coproducts, such as Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), in livestock diets. Because these residues contain high fiber levels, they may be amendable to incorporation into bio-based composites. Thus, the goal of this study was to demonstrate the viability of using corn-based DDGS as a biofiller with phenolic resin, in order to produce a novel biomaterial. DDGS was blended with phenolic resin at 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 90%, by weight, and then compression molded at 51 MPa (3.7 tons/in squared) and 174 degrees C (345 degrees F). Molded specimens were then tested for tensile strength. Tensile yield strengths ranged from 37 MPa (5400 lb/in squared) to 8.3 MPa (1200 lb/in squared), while the engineering strain ranged from 0.6 to 1.4%. Results indicate that DDGS concentrations between 25 and 50% retained sufficient mechanical strength, and thus represent reasonable inclusion values. Additionally, data were similar to those from other studies that have investigated biofillers. Follow-up studies should quantify the effects of altering molding parameters, including molding pressure, temperature, and time, as well as DDGS content. Additionally, strength of the DDGS composites should be optimized through the use of coupling agents or other additives.