A Novel Lobster Shell Composite Material for Temporary Structural Applications

The Neivandt Research Group within the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Maine has developed a novel, thermosetting lobster shell composite (LS-composite) material. The Neivandt Group in collaboration with UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) through the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Alliance for Research and Technology (SM2ART) Program is using the LS-composite to develop temporary structural applications including short-term relief shelters for refugees and temporary support materials for large format additive manufacturing (LFAM). There are many other terrestrial or marine short term use opportunities for this material. The composite is comprised of waste lobster shells and a natural binder derived from wastes of the agricultural industry. The LS-composite can be compounded by hand or twin-screw extrusion and parts are easily produced by injection molding. The material has demonstrated higher flexural strength and higher nail / screw retention than construction lumber as well as higher compression strength than concrete. It is compatible with traditional construction adhesives and yet it will form a structural grade bond when glued with water. The LS-composite is flame resistant and self-extinguishing. Untreated LS-composites will benignly degrade when submerged in water < 2 weeks; however, simple thermal treatments and natural coatings are demonstrating a pathway to a tunable degradation profile. Manual 3D printing has been demonstrated but this unique material is challenging for traditional 3D printers. Work is underway to demonstrate a methodology for automated 3D printing.