Biobased Foams from Sawdust: A Robust Alternative to Polystyrene
Researchers have developed biobased foams from sawdust that effectively absorb and release water, while resisting dissolution in acetone—a key advantage over conventional polystyrene. Coating the foams with beeswax further improved their water resistance under high humidity, without compromising mechanical properties.
Superior Energy Dissipation
Impact tests revealed that the biopolymer foams dissipate energy more effectively than polystyrene. A 10-pound weight bounced 21% less distance off the sawdust-based foams, indicating superior shock absorption. These results suggest the foams are robust enough for packaging applications where polystyrene is currently used.
"The liquid stability appears excellent in the weeks-to-months timeframe, which is useful during shipping or for production and storage."
"The initial assessment of mechanical properties appears promising, suggesting the foams may be examined further in applications such as construction materials and high-end packaging for consumer electronics." — Researcher Emrick
Funding and Material Source
The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, and the waste sawdust was provided by Hadley Millworks.