Abstract: Methods of increasing formability of a palm sheath material, methods of producing a palm sheath-based product, and palm sheath foodware produced thereby. The formability of a palm sheath material is increased by treating the palm sheath material with a fluid substance that weakens bonds between cellulose fibers of the palm sheath material by partially eliminating lignin and hemicellulose of the palm sheath material. The treated palm sheath material can be used to form various products, such as foodware products by deforming the treated palm sheath material into a shape. Advantageously, the treated palm sheath material can typically be deformed by stretching or punching using dies to a height to diameter aspect ratio of greater than 0.2 and/or to a limit strain of the palm sheath material greater than 0.38.

Abstract: Methods of inducing segmented flow in a material in which a ductile flow mode would otherwise occur during machining. A monolayer molecular film is formed on a surface of a body of a material in a state such that the material exhibits ductile flow when subjected to shear. The monolayer molecular film has molecules each having a head group adsorbed to the surface, a terminal group, and a hydrocarbon chain therebetween having a chain length of greater than 6. A surface portion of the body is removed by engaging the body with a tool in a contact region below the surface of the body and moving the tool relative to the body to remove the surface portion and the monolayer molecular film thereon. The monolayer molecular film induces segmented flow in the material during the removing of the surface portion.

Abstract: Methods of inducing segmented flow in a material in which a ductile flow mode would otherwise occur during machining. A monolayer molecular film is formed on a surface of a body of a material in a state such that the material exhibits ductile flow when subjected to shear. The monolayer molecular film has molecules each having a head group adsorbed to the surface, a terminal group, and a hydrocarbon chain therebetween having a chain length of greater than 6. A surface portion of the body is removed by engaging the body with a tool in a contact region below the surface of the body and moving the tool relative to the body to remove the surface portion and the monolayer molecular film thereon. The monolayer molecular film induces segmented flow in the material during the removing of the surface portion.