Biodegradable fibre reinforced composites composed of polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate

Abstract

Recent concern over the harmful effects on the ecology of long lasting plastics has led to heightened interest in the development of more environmentally sustainable materials. Attention has been paid to biodegradable thermoplastic polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS). However, although these materials have been widely used as matrix in a composite, the potential of biopolymers as reinforcement in a composite structural system has been examined less. Two types of unidirectional biodegradable composites, PLA self-reinforced and PLA reinforced PBS matrix composites, were produced. The composites were tested for Young's modulus, tensile strength and strain at break. Cross-section and fracture surface characteristics of the composites were also examined by scanning electron microscopy to identify damage modes. It is found that the tensile strength of both PLA self-reinforced and PLA-PBS composites is increased by 10-40%, while their initial modulus is 2-6 times higher than that measured for PLA and PBS films.

Flame retarded self-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites of outstanding impact resistance

“…For this method, however, both the (surface) position of the load bearing fabrics and the achievable maximum reinforcement content are limited, which encumbers the further enhancement of the impact resistance by this way. Although a few studies have already been published on the preparation of self-reinforced PLA composites (PLA-SRCs) by other techniques (such as compression moulding (filmstacking) [13,14,15] and hot compaction [16]), by which higher reinforcement contents are also achievable, the impact resistance of these all-PLA composite sheets have not yet been investigated. Nevertheless, PLA is an easily flammable polymer, its heavy dripping implies increased fire danger during its burning [17,18].…”

Aligned unidirectional PLA/bacterial cellulose nanocomposite fibre reinforced PDLLA composites

“…Selfreinforced PLA has for example been produced via a film stacking method whereby amorphous PLA sheets were inserted into layers of PLLA fibres and subsequently compression moulded [8]. Jia produced unidirectional (UD) self-reinforced PLA composites via film/yarn stacking, using approximately 21 vol.% fibre reinforcement and reported a tensile strength of 48 MPa, Young's modulus of 3.29 GPa and 4-6 % strain to failure [9]. PLA fibres have been formed by melt-spinning with various draw ratios and processing conditions by several authors [1][2][3][4][5][6][10][11][12].…”

Development of PLA hybrid yarns for biobased self-reinforced polymer composites

“…The most significant improvement is observed for the impact behaviour [5]. SRPCs also offer superior fibre-matrix-adhesion compared to traditionally fibre filled polymers as fibre and matrix are made of the same material.…”

“… strength,  stiffness,  durability,  and impact behaviour [5]. The most significant improvement is observed for the impact behaviour [5].…”

“…Poor fibre matrix adhesion leads to peeling, cracking and reinforcement fibre pull-out. [5] Using thermoplastic reinforcing fibres for self-reinforced composites also introduces some disadvantages. The main problem is the dependency of the reinforcing fibre's mechanical properties on temperature.…”