Elastomer composite including algae biomass filler

Abstract

A biomass-elastomer composite including an elastomer matrix; a biomass reinforcement distributed through the elastomer matrix, where the biomass reinforcement includes algae and the algae includes protein, ash, and carbohydrates when distributed into the elastomer matrix; and a mixing additive sufficient to achieve a desired property for a solid good. The mixing additive can be selected from the group consisting of a plasticizer, a compatibilizer, a vulcanizing agent, a curing agent, a crosslinker, a coupling agent, an elastomer compound having polar functionalization, a thermoplastic compound having polar functionalization, a performance enhancing additive, and combinations thereof. The mixing additive is sufficient to form a solid good. The algae can be present in a milled condition having a particle size value of up to 120 microns.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.