Policy / Systems / Technology

September 15, 2012

 

Newly Developed Bio-Polyester Is World's Strongest, Highly Heat Resistant

Keywords: Chemicals Environmental Technology University / Research institute 

The Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology announced on May 9, 2012, that a team led by Tatsuo Kaneko, an associate professor at the Institute's School of Materials Science, had successfully developed the world's strongest bio-polyester that also has a high resistance to heat.

The team, led by Associate Professor Kaneko, focused on a cinnamic acid derivative, a natural molecule with rigid structures found in every plant cell, from photosynthetic microorganisms to higher plants, and then polymerized the molecule in the presence of a hydrotalcite catalyst, a natural mineral, to create a liquid-crystalline bio-polyester. This achievement is a world first.

The team found that this bio-polyester self-orients on glass surfaces, and by mixing glass fiber with the bio-polyester they created the glass fiber-reinforced, high-intensity bio-polyester resin with a dynamic strength of 145 megapascals. The resin can withstand temperatures of up to 305 degrees Celsius and has an elasticity of 10 gigapascals, features that could make it a super-engineering plastic.

Bio-plastic to date has lacked adequate heat resistance and dynamic strength, limiting it to uses in disposable goods, but the new bio-polyester resin is expected to find uses as an alternative to metal and plastic used for vehicle engine components. The new resin will likely be used in various fields, including applications for reducing the weight of vehicles, reduction of industrial waste, and cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

MGC Develops New Heat-resistant Bio-based Polyamide Resin (Related JFS article)

Posted: 2012/09/15 06:00:00 AM

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