Lignin-reinforced rubbers

A novel moisture-curable rubber and a high performance lignin-reinforced rubber with good processability were obtained by using newly developed 1-chloro-1,3-butadiene — 1,3-butadiene rubber (CB-BR) derived from the copolymerization of 1-chloro-l,3-butadiene (CB) and 1,3-butadiene by emulsion process. 

It is almost paradoxical that in the history of mankind composite materials were earlier used than their "homogeneous" rivals. The earliest "engineering materials" were bone, wood and clay. Wood is a composite of matrix lignin and a cellulosic reinforcement bone is a natural composite where fibres of hydroxyapatite reinforce the collagen matrix and the oldest building material was adobe clay as a matrix, reinforced by vegetable fibres. After the industrial revolution other composites were added reinforced rubber, reinforced concrete, reinforced asphalt, etc. 

Rubber from trees has been used in both solid and latex form, and also converted further into isomerized and chlorinated polymers of very different properties and uses. Wood from trees is used directly for plywood, composition board, and wood-flour reinforcement of phenolic resins. The cellulose from wood is purified and used for laminates and for regenerated cellulose products such as cellophane, viscose rayon, and vulcanized fibre. The lignin from wood has been explored for use in plastics, but never carried through to complete commercial success. 

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