Jamshid Mohammadi-Rovshandeh - Caspian Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Rezvanshahr, Guilan, P. O. Box ۴۳۸۴۱-۱۱۹, Iran.
Kamel Ekhlasi-Kazaj - Caspian Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Rezvanshahr, Guilan, P. O. Box ۴۳۸۴۱-۱۱۹, Iran.
Peyman Pouresmaeel-Selakjani - Caspian Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Rezvanshahr, Guilan, P. O. Box ۴۳۸۴۱-۱۱۹, Iran.
Ashkan Hosseini - Caspian Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Rezvanshahr, Guilan, P. O. Box ۴۳۸۴۱-۱۱۹, Iran.

Wheat straw as available and cheap lignocellulosic resource was successfully benzylated and subsequently plasticized with different levels ( 3, 5 and 7 Wt. %) of stearic acid. The effects of concentration of plasticizer on the mechanical properties of benzylated wheat straw (BWS) film have been investigated by using tensile tests. The experimental results showed that the addition of plasticizer enhanced the elongation at break, and lowered the tensile strength of the films plasticized with 5% or 7% stearic acid. The addition of 3% stearic acid makes BWS blend with high tensile strength and elongation at break. These films are stronger but less tough compared to unplasticized BWS film.Compared with un plasticized sample, the water absorption of the BWS films plasticized with stearic acid was significantly upper. The hydroxyl group of stearic acid interacts with water molecule and help to facial introduction of water into plasticized blends

lignocellulosic resource; benzylation; plasticizer; wheat straw; stearic acid