| The incorporation of lignocellulosic natural fillers into thermoplastic matrices results in blended composite systems with predictable mechanical properties. The elastic modulus of these blends was modeled by a modified linear equation which accounts for volumetric filler loading levels and the combined fat and protein content of the given filler mixture. Tensile strength was found to be predictable by means of a combined hyperbolic and exponential model which accounts for filler loading and either combined fat and protein content or cellulose content of a given filler system, dependent upon whether or not the composite system incorporates a compatibilizer to interact directly with the cellulose of the filler. Impact performance was found to be a factor directly related to the geometric effect of the filler loading, with little variance due to lignocellulosic filler type. Overall, this understanding allows for prediction of both single and hybrid blends biofiller loadings of thermoplastics. This will allow the potential for more controlled and uniform composite production using these products, which should help significantly advance the viability of these natural materials in industry. |
