Utilization of algae blooms as a source of natural fibers for biocomposite materials: Study of morphology and mechanical performance of Lyngbya fibers

Algae blooms represent a worldwide contamination problem, 55% of the water bodies in the U.S. are in poor condition mainly because of algae. A second source of algae waste is the co-product of the algae biofuel process. There is potentially an abundant source of algae fiber; however, little is known about the utilization of algae as reinforcement for natural fiber composites (NFC). The purpose of this work is to study the morphology and mechanical properties of the blue-green algae Lyngbya as a natural fiber reinforcement for biocomposite materials according to the Standards ASTM-D792-00 and ASTM C1557-03. Lyngbya were sourced and by conducting a sequence of chemical treatments on the algae the fiber that was extracted. The average properties of Lyngbya fiber are: density 1.06 g/cm3, width 60 μm, tensile strength of 215 MPa, and tensile modulus of 24 GPa. Lyngbya fiber properties are comparable to jute and sisal fibers.