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• Manufacturing of new composites with a polypropylene matrix and latxa sheep wool reinforcement

  A. Larruscain, C. Peña-Rodriguez, A. Arbelaiz

  Materiales Compuestos (2026). Vol. 09 - Comunicaciones MatComp25 (2025), (Núm. 4 Nuevos Materiales), 22

  
  

  Abstract

  The development of new sustainable materials is key to meeting growing demand without compromising the planet’s future. To achieve this, it is essential to reduce environmental impact through strategies like those of the circular economy. One example is the use of Latxa sheep wool, a breed associated with Idiazabal cheese in the Basque Country. This wool has interesting physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, but currently lacks industrial applications. Therefore, it could be used as reinforcement in composite manufacturing, also supporting the local economy. In this study, polypropylene (PP) was used as the matrix—one of the most widely used thermoplastic polymers due to its versatility, good barrier properties, and chemical resistance. However, PP has few functional groups, which limits interaction with other materials. This may lead to poor adhesion at the fiber-matrix interface, affecting the cohesion and properties of the composite. To address this, composites of PP with Latxa wool fiber (PPWF) were prepared, analyzing the effect of modifying the PP with maleic anhydride (MAPP) to enhance compatibility between the matrix and the protein-based fiber. MAPP was added in a proportion of 10% relative to the wool fiber. The results show that adding 20% wool to the modified matrix significantly improves both the strength and modulus of the PP.

  Abstract
  The development of new sustainable materials is key to meeting growing demand without compromising the planet’s future. To achieve this, it is essential to reduce environmental [...]

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