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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224478
Title: A student project to quantify machinability of plastics using corn ethanol co-products as biofiller – an educational perspective for green manufacturing applications

Author
item OTIENO, ANDREW - NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV
item Rosentrater, Kurt
item MELAMPATI, PRATYUSHA - NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/2008
Publication Date: 4/3/2008
Citation: Otieno, A., Rosentrater, K.A., Melampati, P. 2008. A student project to quantify machinability of plastics using corn ethanol co-products as biofiller – an educational perspective for green manufacturing applications. Proceedings from ASEE IL/IN Conference, Terre Haute IN, April 3-5, 2008, pp. 1-10.

Interpretive Summary: Corn ethanol processing by-products are primarily used as animal feeds. Other potential applications include the manufacture of biodegradable plastic composites. This, however, requires subsequent processing, adding cost to the final product. Thus, it is necessary to investigate alternative methods by which these co-products can be utilized. Recent research collaborations between Northern Illinois University and the USDA-ARS have utilized these co-products as plastic filler materials. Preliminary results have indicated the viability of incorporating these into a phenolic-based thermoset polymer using a compression molding process. Although the mechanical properties of these novel materials have been analyzed, manufacturing properties, in particular, machinability, are yet to be studied. Conducting these tests has proven to be very appropriate as a student project. From an educational perspective, this project has allowed students to increase knowledge in the area of green manufacturing applications, by examining manufacturing methods for novel materials, such as biodegradable polymeric products. In addition, concepts of machining have been extended from metallic materials to polymers, opening new avenues for education and research into machinability of materials. This paper also presents a simple approach that can be used as a classroom tool for determining manufacturability of innovative materials, and can readily be implemented in manufacturing courses.

Technical Abstract: Corn ethanol processing by-products are primarily used as animal feeds. Other potential applications include the manufacture of biodegradable plastic composites. This, however, requires subsequent processing, adding cost to the final product. Thus, it is necessary to investigate alternative methods by which these co-products can be utilized. Recent research collaborations between Northern Illinois University and the USDA-ARS have utilized these co-products as plastic filler materials. Preliminary results have indicated the viability of incorporating these into a phenolic-based thermoset polymer using a compression molding process. Although the mechanical properties of these novel materials have been analyzed, manufacturing properties, in particular, machinability, are yet to be studied. Conducting these tests has proven to be very appropriate as a student project. From an educational perspective, this project has allowed students to increase knowledge in the area of green manufacturing applications, by examining manufacturing methods for novel materials, such as biodegradable polymeric products. In addition, concepts of machining have been extended from metallic materials to polymers, opening new avenues for education and research into machinability of materials. This paper also presents a simple approach that can be used as a classroom tool for determining manufacturability of innovative materials, and can readily be implemented in manufacturing courses.