Environmentally friendly alternative cellulosic composite material production and determination of some performance characteristics

In this study, innovative, environmentally friendly composite panels based on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and natural polymer are produced by freeze-drying method without using any foaming agent. The study was carried out in three stages. In the first stage, the mixture amounts and production conditions of polyvinyl acetate and kraft pulp were determined and the most successful test group was determined as a result of all performance tests of composite panels. In the second stage, in order to provide fire resistance, composite panels made of kraft pulp and polyvinyl acetate were added with different amounts of zinc borate. As a result of the production, mechanical and thermal tests were chosen as the most successful test group. In the third stage, water soluble chitosan synthesis was made in different molecular weights in order to provide strength to the produced material and to provide resistance against fungus and bacteria, and was added to composite panels in different proportions. Density, porosity, three-point static bending test, pressure test, tensile test, thermo gravimetric analysis, thermal conductivity coefficient measurement, limiting oxygen index test, fungal decay test, antibacterial test and accelerated aging tests of all samples were performed. As a result, as the solids content of the composite panels increased, density values increased and porosity values decreased. An increase in mechanical test results was observed with the addition of high molecular weight chitosan to composite panels. The bending strength, compressive strength and tensile strength values of composite panels were found in the range of 0,005-5,337 N/mm2, 0,0001-0,0764 N/mm2 and 0,004-0,06 N/mm2, respectively. As a result of thermogravimetric analysis in composite panels, the mass loss ranges between %35,8 and %85,2 the limiting oxygen index value varies between %16,23 and %8,72 and thermal properties have improved by increasing the zinc borate content. Zinc borate reinforced samples were found to be resistant to brown and white rot fungi. Chitosan reinforced samples were effective against E.coli bacteria. The composite panels produced as a result of the tests carried out are suitable isolation in interior spaces and separators for the walls of the offices. This study is aimed to contribute to the reduction of the use of petroleum-based composite panels. In addition, it is thought that this study will allow to increase the recognition and use of composites and foams that can be degraded in a short time in nature, to produce new types of composite materials and to increase the research, investment, and production in this field.