Mechanical, thermal and acoustical characterizations of an insulating bio-based composite made from sunflower stalks particles and chitosan

International audience; This study has for objective the determination of thermal, mechanical and acoustical properties of insulating bio-based composite made with chitosan and sunflower's stalks particles. An experimental design was established to find the size grading of particles, the ratio chitosan/sunflower particles and the stress of compaction influencing the thermal and mechanical properties. Composites with a thermal conductivity $(\kappa)$ of 0.056 W/m/K, a maximum stress $(\sigma_{\text{max}})$ of 2 MPa and an acoustic coefficient of absorption $(\alpha)$ of 0.2 were obtained with a ratio of chitosan of 4.3% (w/w) and a size grading of particles higher to 3 mm. These mechanical a…