| abstract |
The present invention is a high-strength, low-profile composite panel. The panel comprises a soy protein based resin and one or more sheets of plant-based fibers. The plant-based fibers are selected from the group consisting of flax, hemp, sorghum, kenaf, jute, ramie, sisal, kapok, banana, pineapple and combinations thereof. The panel is made from the compression of the sheets at a temperature that is a minimum of 80°C, a pressure that is a minimum of 3 MPa, and for a time that is a minimum of 10 minutes. The panels are a minimum length of 4 feet and a minimum width of 2 feet and a maximum thickness of one centimeter. |