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In this work, the possibility to produce polylactic acid (PLA) and agave fiber biocomposites by dry-blending and rotational molding was studied. The samples were also produced by compression molding to compare the effect of processing conditions on the biocomposites properties. In particular, the effect of fiber content (0-40 wt.%) on morphology, density, porosity, thermal (DSC) and mechanical properties (tension, flexion, impact and hardness) was studied. Also, a complete analysis of the internal air temperature profiles was performed to determine the thermal behavior of PLA during the rotational molding cycle. The results showed that rotomolded biocomposites were successfully produced but had higher porosity than compression molded ones due to the absence of pressure while forming. This led to different level of mechanical properties reduction as fiber content increases. Nevertheless, for compression-molded biocomposites, crystallinity (30% at 30 wt.%), tensile modulus (14% at 30 wt.%) and impact strength (71% at 40 wt.%) improvements were obtained compared to neat PLA. K E Y W O R D Sbiodegradable, composites, molding, natural fibers, polylactic acid | 2529 CISNEROS-LÓPEZ Et aL.

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Blends of high density polyethylene and polystyrene were produced via ribbon extrusion to study the effect of post-extrusion conditions on the ribbon final dimensions and morphology. An experimental setup was designed to measure the stretching force as a function of draw ratio and water contact distance for blends of 3, 6 and 9 % PS in HDPE. Numerical simulations of the non-isothermal process using Matlab were in good agreement with the experimental data only when both viscous and elastic effects are included. The results show that both draw ratio and water contact distance have a definite influence on the final dimensions of the ribbon and the stretching force. It was found that deformation of the dispersed phase increases with draw ratio, but decreases with water contact distance.