PLA composites were prepared using six lignocellulosic fibers with widely varying particle characteristics.The composites were characterized by tensile testing, scanning electron (SEM) and polarization optical (POM) microscopy. Micromechanical deformation processes during loading were followed by acoustic emission measurements. Interfacial adhesion was estimated by three independent methods. Contrary to most claims published in the literature, interfacial adhesion between PLA and natural fibers was found to be rather strong, a result confirmed by the quantitative estimation of adhesion strength, acoustic emission measurements and SEM study. Strong interfacial adhesion results in weak dependence of the extent of reinforcement on the particle characteristics of the reinforcing fibers. Both acoustic emission measurements and microscopy indicated that the dominating micromechanical deformation process is 2 the fracture of the fibers and close correlation was found between the initiation stress of fiber fracture, reinforcement and the ultimate strength of the composites.

Two reactive coupling agents, N,N-(1,3-phenylene dimaleiimide) (BMI) and 1,1-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene)bismaleimide (DBMI) were used to improve interfacial adhesion in PLA/wood composites. First the effect of the coupling agents was established in a series of experiments in which the amount of coupling agent changed at constant wood content, and then the effect of coupling was determined at various wood loadings (0-60 vol%). Composites were homogenized in an internal mixer and compression molded to plates. Tensile properties were determined and micromechanical deformations were studied by acoustic emission measurements. The two compounds improved the properties of the composites. Stiffness, strength and deformability increased simultaneously supplying sufficient proof for coupling. Because of the flexibility of the molecule, DBMI is a more efficient coupling agent in the studied composites than BMI. However, the effect of coupling is small, because only a few very large particles debond under the effect of external load. Smaller particles adhere strongly to the matrix even without coupling proving that interfacial adhesion is strong in PLA/wood composites.