A Review: Bio-fiber’s as reinforcement in composites of polylactic acid (PLA)

Abstract

Due to its comparable thermo-mechanical properties to petroleum-based resins, the production of biopolymers has led to their rapid growth in recent years, especially in the automotive and construction industries. Because of its excellent mechanical properties and biodegradability, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has achieved great commercial interest in the polymer industry among the biopolymers. Brittleness and high costs, though, hinder their use in a broad variety of applications. It is therefore a task for material scientists to change PLA by innovative technology. Reinforcement of bio-fiber or blending with other biodegradable products has proven to be an effective way to reduce the expense and fragility of PLA to produce completely biodegradable composite. Bio-fibers over synthetic fibers have low cost, low density, simple handling and equal mechanical properties. The major drawbacks of bio-fibers, though, are their hygroscopic existence and hydrophobic matrix incompatibility. Therefore, bio-fiber surface modifications are essential to enhance compatibility in order to maximize the efficiency of stress transfer between fiber and matrix.