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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Manufacturing Of Robust Natural Fiber Preforms Utilizing Bacterial Cellulose as Binder
Published on: May 22, 2014
Development and Characterization of Polymer Eco-Composites Based on Natural Rubber Reinforced with Natural Fibers
Maria-Daniela Stelescu1, Elena Manaila2, Gabriela Craciun3
1National R&D Institute for Textile and Leather-Leather and Footwear Research Institute, 93 Ion Minulescu St., 31215 Bucharest, Romania. dmstelescu@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Natural rubber composites filled with short natural fibers (flax and sawdust) were prepared by blending procedure and the elastomer cross-linking was carried out using benzoyl peroxide. The microbial degradation of composites was carried out by incubating with Aspergillus niger recognized for the ability to grow and degrade a broad range of substrates. The extent of biodegradation was evaluated by weight loss and cross-linking degree study of composites after 2 months incubation in pure shake culture conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) have proved to be precious and valuable instruments for morphological as well as structural characterization of the composites before and after incubation with Aspergillus niger.
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