The effects on mechanical properties and crystallization of poly (l-lactic acid) reinforced by cellulosic fibers with different scales

2014 ◽  
Vol 131 (22) ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingju Lu ◽  
Man Jiang ◽  
Xiaoling Xu ◽  
Shengli Zhang ◽  
David Hui ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Aliotta ◽  
Vito Gigante ◽  
Maria Coltelli ◽  
Patrizia Cinelli ◽  
Andrea Lazzeri

The circular economy policy and the interest for sustainable material are inducing a constant expansion of the bio-composites market. The opportunity of using natural fibers in bio-based and biodegradable polymeric matrices, derived from industrial and/or agricultural waste, represents a stimulating challenge in the replacement of traditional composites based on fossil sources. The coupling of bioplastics with natural fibers in order to lower costs and promote degradability is one of the primary objectives of research, above all in the packaging and agricultural sectors where large amounts of non-recyclable plastics are generated, inducing a serious problem for plastic disposal and potential accumulation in the environment. Among biopolymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most used compostable, bio-based polymeric matrices, since it exhibits process ability and mechanical properties compatible with a wide range of applications. In this study, two types of cellulosic fibers were processed with PLA in order to obtain bio-composites with different percentages of microfibers (5%, 10%, 20%). The mechanical properties were evaluated (tensile and impact test), and analytical models were applied in order to estimate the adhesion between matrix and fibers and to predict the material’s stiffness. Understanding these properties is of particular importance in order to be able to tune and project the final characteristics of bio-composites.


Author(s):  
Jipeng Guo ◽  
Chi-Hui Tsou ◽  
Yongqi Yu ◽  
Chin-San Wu ◽  
Xuemei Zhang ◽  
...  

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 776
Author(s):  
Sixiang Zhai ◽  
Qingying Liu ◽  
Yuelong Zhao ◽  
Hui Sun ◽  
Biao Yang ◽  
...  

With the depletion of petroleum energy, the possibility of prices of petroleum-based materials increasing, and increased environmental awareness, biodegradable materials as a kind of green alternative have attracted more and more research attention. In this context, poly (lactic acid) has shown a unique combination of properties such as nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and good workability. However, examples of its known drawbacks include poor tensile strength, low elongation at break, poor thermal properties, and low crystallization rate. Lignocellulosic materials such as lignin and cellulose have excellent biodegradability and mechanical properties. Compounding such biomass components with poly (lactic acid) is expected to prepare green composite materials with improved properties of poly (lactic acid). This paper is aimed at summarizing the research progress of modification of poly (lactic acid) with lignin and cellulose made in in recent years, with emphasis on effects of lignin and cellulose on mechanical properties, thermal stability and crystallinity on poly (lactic acid) composite materials. Development of poly (lactic acid) composite materials in this respect is forecasted.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Han-Seung Ko ◽  
Sangwoon Lee ◽  
Doyoung Lee ◽  
Jae Young Jho

To enhance the mechanical strength and bioactivity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to the level that can be used as a material for spinal implants, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fibers and hydroxyapatite (HA) were introduced as fillers to PLA composites. To improve the poor interface between HA and PLA, HA was grafted by PLA to form HA-g-PLA through coupling reactions, and mixed with PLA. The size of the HA particles in the PLA matrix was observed to be reduced from several micrometers to sub-micrometer by grafting PLA onto HA. The tensile and flexural strength of PLA/HA-g-PLA composites were increased compared with those of PLA/HA, apparently due to the better dispersion of HA and stronger interfacial adhesion between the HA and PLA matrix. We also examined the effects of the length and frequency of grafted PLA chains on the tensile strength of the composites. By the addition of unidirectionally aligned PGA fibers, the flexural strength of the composites was greatly improved to a level comparable with human compact bone. In the bioactivity tests, the growth of apatite on the surface was fastest and most uniform in the PLA/PGA fiber/HA-g-PLA composite.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1851
Author(s):  
Hye-Seon Park ◽  
Chang-Kook Hong

Poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a promising biomedical polymer material with a wide range of applications. The diverse enantiomeric forms of PLLA provide great opportunities for thermal and mechanical enhancement through stereocomplex formation. The addition of poly (d-lactic acid) (PDLA) as a nucleation agent and the formation of stereocomplex crystallization (SC) have been proven to be an effective method to improve the crystallization and mechanical properties of the PLLA. In this study, PLLA was blended with different amounts of PDLA through a melt blending process and their properties were calculated. The effect of the PDLA on the crystallization behavior, thermal, and mechanical properties of PLLA were investigated systematically by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized optical microscopy (POM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile test. Based on our findings, SC formed easily when PDLA content was increased, and acts as nucleation sites. Both SC and homo crystals (HC) were observed in the PLLA/PDLA blends. As the content of PDLA increased, the degree of crystallization increased, and the mechanical strength also increased.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2531
Author(s):  
Rodion Kopitzky

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a residue available in large quantities from the sugar industry, and can serve as a cost-effective bio-based and biodegradable filler for fully bio-based compounds based on bio-based polyesters. The heterogeneous cell structure of sugar beet suggests that the processing of SBP can affect the properties of the composite. An “Ultra-Rotor” type air turbulence mill was used to produce SBP particles of different sizes. These particles were processed in a twin-screw extruder with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and fillers to granules for possible marketable formulations. Different screw designs, compatibilizers and the use of glycerol as a thermoplasticization agent for SBP were also tested. The spherical, cubic, or ellipsoidal-like shaped particles of SBP are not suitable for usage as a fiber-like reinforcement. In addition, the fineness of ground SBP affects the mechanical properties because (i) a high proportion of polar surfaces leads to poor compatibility, and (ii) due to the inner structure of the particulate matter, the strength of the composite is limited to the cohesive strength of compressed sugar-cell compartments of the SBP. The compatibilization of the polymer–matrix–particle interface can be achieved by using compatibilizers of different types. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture patterns show that the compatibilization can lead to both well-bonded particles and cohesive fracture patterns in the matrix. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties are limited by the impact and elongation behavior. Therefore, the applications of SBP-based composites must be well considered.


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