Characterizations of poly-lactic acid/polypropylene filled with bamboo charcoal powder

Abstract

In this study, polymer blend was prepared in the ratio of Polypropylene (PP) to Polylactic acid (PLA) of 70:30 by weight. Bamboo charcoal powder (BC), at different loading was added to identify its potential use as filler for the PP/PLA blend. The polymer blend and composites were prepared by using a twin screw extruder. The effects of BC content on the mechanical and thermal properties of the PP/PLA blend were investigated. The results of tensile strength and Izod impact strength show a significant decreased with the addition of BC content. The Young modulus of composites was significantly increased (80%) with the addition of 20 wt.% BC content. The SEM results of composites with 20 wt.% BC filler show a brittle fracture surface. TGA results revealed that, blending PP with PLA cause an increase in thermal stability of PLA. However, the incorporation of 20 wt.% BC has shifted the temperature of initial weight loss of PP/PLA blend towards lower temperature. DSC measurement indicates that the melting temperature (Tm) values of the PP/PLA blend decrease with the addition of 20 wt% BC content, from 169 to 164 °C.