The processing strategy adopted to develop biocomposites, play a significant role in determining their characteristics. The present experimental investigation explores the feasibility of using Direct-Injection molding (D-IM) process for processing of sisal fiber (3 mm and 8 mm) reinforced PLA biocomposites having a fiber weight fraction of 30%. For comparative analysis, mechanical and morphological behavior of biocomposites developed using D-IM process is compared with biocomposites developed using Extrusion-Injection molding (E-IM) process. Mechanical behavior in terms of tensile, flexural and impact properties is compared and discussed in relation to extracted fiber morphology and fiber orientation as well as dispersion within the developed biocomposites. Morphological investigation of extracted fibers revealed severe fiber attrition and fiber length variation during E-IM process compared to D-IM process. However, short sisal fiber (3 mm) reinforced biocomposites developed using both the processes exhibit uniform fiber dispersion and orientation, resulting in comparable mechanical properties. The tensile and flexural strength of D-IM-SF biocomposites improved remarkably by 34.7% and 15.9% respectively, compared to D-IM-LF biocomposites. Similar improvement in tensile and flexural modulus of D-IM-SF biocomposites was observed which improved significantly by 92.5 % and 56.7% Downloaded by [University of California Santa Barbara] at 23:42 24 June 2016 2respectively, compared to D-IM-LF biocomposites. However, D-IM process incorporating long fibers exhibit better impact properties.
In the current research enterprise, behavior of novel bio-composites incorporating Aloe Vera fibers in biopolymer matrix (polylactic acid) has been experimentally examined in comparison to Sisal fiber reinforced bio-composites. These bio-composites were melt blended using single screw extruder prior to injection molding. The effect of fiber weight fraction (10–20–30%) and fiber surface modification on mechanical behavior of developed bio-composites was investigated. Alkaline treatment using sodium hydroxide concentration of 5% was used for fiber surface modification. Both alkali treated and raw fibers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope. Thermal stability of the fibers improved after alkaline treatment. The mechanical characteristics of developed bio-composites exhibited an improvement with increasing fiber concentration. Alkaline treatment of fibers further improved the tensile, flexural and compressive properties of developed bio-composites, while their impact properties declined compared to raw fiber reinforced bio-composites. Moreover, from the results, it is evident that the characteristics of Aloe Vera fiber reinforced bio-composites are comparable to Sisal fiber reinforced bio-composites and the developed bio-composites have the potential to be used in various automotive, furniture and architectural applications.
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