Renewable Resource Low Density Materials

Renewable polymeric technologies using building blocks derived from biologically renewable materials have now started to emerge as a viable alternative to petroleum based technologies for the preparation of composite components. Further, mass reduction (light weighting) technologies are fast becoming a critical topic for enhancing fuel efficiency. It has become clear that these two technology areas can be combined to produce composites that are both friendlier to the environment, and reduce the overall mass of composite components to enhance energy efficiencies. The thermoset industry has seen this opportunity and is currently pursuing compounds that incorporate the as mentioned technologies to produce compression, and injection moldable materials. This paper will explore, compare, and demonstrate properties produced by these renewable resource low density compounds.