The research is to utilize synthetic fibers to manufacture new growing media with uncomplicated adjustment of water availability and air capacity. Using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (Nylon66) and polypropylene (PP) as the raw materials; utilizing their excellent then-no-plasticity to cure above the glass-transition temperature, using different ratio of fibers to produce growing media of different bulk densities. The formation characteristics of these growing media are required in plants cultivation were discussed. Compare the results with rockwool growing media that are commonly used at present days. The results indicated that PET, Nylon66 and PP fibers could obtain good formation characteristics in 0.026-0.076, 0.054-0.162, 0.055-0.157 g/cm(3), respectively. Among them the culture media that uses PET as raw material, for its excellent stiffness and thermo-plasticity, produces the best formation characteristics. PET under the aforementioned bulk densities could have above 90% total porosity, above 10% air capacity, above 40% water availability and above 1200% water content, which conforms to the common plant culture habitat conditions. Its performance well surpasses the rockwool growing media. If we adjust with different ratio of fine denier fiber in the PET fiber growing media, then the water content of the media may be enhanced up to 20%. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.
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MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING Volume: 433 Issue: 1-2 Pages: 100-103
