Development of a casein-based matrix and mechanical properties of sustainable composites from cellulose and cellulose acetate: A preliminary study
Maria Rosaria Ricciardi, Vincenza Antonucci, Marco Russo, Lorena Affatato, Antonio Langella
Abstract. The development of sustainable composite materials has gained increasing attention as industries seek eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic polymers. Casein, a protein derived from milk, represents a promising renewable resource for such applications due to significant waste of milk surplus. However, its broader use has been historically limited by the poor mechanical performance and water sensitivity. In this study a novel casein based sustainable composite has been developed by optimizing a casein-based matrix and reinforcing it by biodegradable fibers, specifically cellulose and cellulose acetate. Flexural and shear strength tests outlined the enhancement of the fiber-matrix adhesion and the mechanical performance, making these composites suitable for various applications, including packaging and construction. Therefore, the novel realized composite is a valuable material that enables the reuse of dairy surplus milk and contributes to the reduction of the environmental footprint associated with composite production.
Keywords
Casein-Based Matrix, Cellulose, Acetate Cellulose, Mechanical Performance
Published online 5/7/2025, 7 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Maria Rosaria Ricciardi, Vincenza Antonucci, Marco Russo, Lorena Affatato, Antonio Langella, Development of a casein-based matrix and mechanical properties of sustainable composites from cellulose and cellulose acetate: A preliminary study, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 54, pp 2161-2167, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903599-232
The article was published as article 232 of the book Material Forming
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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