Abstract
In this paper is presented an experimental, theoretical and numerical study about the use of a biodegradable composite material in the manufacturing process of the suspension elements for plane sieves used in mills from bakery industry. The material was obtained by reinforcing an unsaturated polyester resin with cotton fabric. Tensile tests were performed for materials having one, three, five and seven layers of cotton fabric and the optimum solution was chosen. The material properties, obtained from the experimental tests, were used in a finite element model realized for the strength calculus of the suspension element. The numerical results were validated analytically. The study confirms that the biodegradable materials can be used for manufacturing of the suspension elements of a plansifter and can be adapted for other parts or industrial structures. Keywords: sifting, biodegradable material, polyester resin, finite element, cotton