Wood Plastic Composites from the Waste Lignocellulosic Biomass Fibers of Bio-Fuels Processes: A Comparative Study on Mechanical Properties and Weathering Effects

Using the lignocellulosic biomass materials to produce wood (wood fibers/natural fibers) plastic composites (WPCs) is one of the most environmentally friendly and economical ways to solve the residuals of biorefineries. In this study, tropical maize bagasse (TMB), sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB), the solid residuals from bio-ethanol plants, were used as the reinforcement phase in the production of WPCs. The mechanical, thermal and accelerated weathering behaviors of WPCs were evaluated. The experimental results indicated that the TMB reinforced composites showed better mechanical properties, with tensile strength and flexural strength of 26.8 ± 3.4 and 46.1 ± 3.1 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the retention ratios of the rupture modulus and the elasticity modulus of the SSB reinforced composites were the highest among the three groups after multigelation and 2000 h of xenon lamp weathering, which were reached 84.9 ± 6.7 and 76.0 ± 4.4%, and 76.1 ± 4.7 and 69.4 ± 2.9%, respectively. The production of WPCs reinforced by solid residuals showed potential in connecting with the biorefinery plants.