Hybrid sustainable composites and methods of making and using thereof

Abstract

Composites containing one or more synthetic plastics, such as thermoplastics, one or more natural materials, such as plant/tree fibers, and biochar and/or torrefied material are described herein. The composite can contain additional additives, such as reinforcing agents and/or fibers, compatibilizers, etc. The composites have improved mechanical and/or physical properties, such as strength, impact strength, rigidity/modulus, heat deflection temperature, moldability/melt flow index, renewability, and lower cost compared to composites that do not contain the biochar and/or torrefied material. The presence of the biochar and/or torrefied material also serves to remove the odor often associated with natural fibers and other additives.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.