Hemp shivs and corn-starch-based biocomposite boards for furniture industry: Improvement of water resistance and reaction to fire

Abstract

Hemp shivs as all plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is a natural measure that gives us an opportunity to control carbon dioxide emissions. In this case, hemp shivs-based composites have become very popular due to the possibility of trapping existing carbon in the structure of aggregates and/or binding materials. However, plant-based biocomposites are highly susceptible to water and fire impact, therefore, the additional treatment methods and research of their impact are needed. The study analysis fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer-based hydrophobizer and expandable graphite as intumescent fire retardant as additives to improve water and reaction to fire of hemp shivs and corn starch-based biocomposite boards for furniture industry. It is shown that 20 wt.% of expandable graphite is a rational amount for it to act as a flame barrier, significantly improve the ignitability parameters and reduce CO2 and CO emissions 1.5 and 5 times, respectively, of hemp shivs and corn starch-based biocomposites. It is observed that the addition of 10 g/l solution of hydrophobizer determines 3 and 1.5 times lower water absorption and swelling in thickness, respectively, showing the formation of an effective barrier for water molecules to penetrate the hemp shiv aggregate’s structure and interact with corn starch binder.