Othman, Maizatulnisa
(2010)
Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)-reinforced
Kenaf Bast Fiber Composites:
The Effect of Triacetin.
Journal of REINFORCED PLASTICS AND COMPOSITES, 29 (7).
pp. 1099-1111.
ISSN 0731-6844
Abstract
In this article, the mechanical, morphological, and dynamic-mechanical properties of
the blends of PLA and kenaf bast short fiber were investigated. The composites, with different fiber
loading and triacetin content, were prepared by melt blending techniques using a Brabender internal
mixer at 60 rpm and 170�C for 10 min and their properties were examined. Pure PLA was used as a
reference for the biocomposite samples. Triacetin was used as a plasticizer for PLA and PLA/kenaf
composites in order to study the improvement in tensile properties. The tensile strength and stiffness
of unplasticized biocomposite materials decreased with the addition of kenaf bast fibers but
improved with the addition of triacetin. The optimum fiber loading was 30wt% kenaf fibers in
the PLA matrix with the addition of 5% triacetin. The dynamic mechanical analyses showed that
triacetin improved the thermal stability of the biocomposites. The triacetin increased the storage
modulus and gave a lower softening temperature for plasticized biocomposites. The micrographs of
the tensile specimens and their fractured surfaces, which were examined by scanning electron microscopy,
demonstrated that better adhesion between the fibers and the matrix was achieved with the
addition of the plasticizer.
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