Effect of Eggshell Powder Using for an Extender on the Mechanical and Thermal Behaviors of Polylactic Acid Composites

Abstract

In this paper, the composites between polylactic acid (PLA) and eggshell powder (ESP) from the chicken shell were prepared by melt blending method in the internal mixer and then injection molded to produce the bio-composite specimen. The effect of the ESP concentration in the composites was investigated on the mechanical and thermal behaviors. The results indicated that the tensile strength and elongation decreased with increased ESP loading. Furthermore, the impact strength was not altered for PLA filled system with 10-30% of ESP. At the 10%wt of ESP in the PLA-composites was not significantly different of the onset (Tonset) and maximum degradation temperature (Td) from neat PLA but at higher ESP loading, Tonset and Td tend to decrease, therefore ESP could be able to accelerate degradation in the composites. The cold crystallization (Tcc) showed decreasing when the ESP was incorporate about 10-30 %wt. Otherwise, the incorporation of ESP affected on the declination of crystallinity in the PLA composites. The morphology, size and elements were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray system (EDX). It was indicated that agglomeration of ESP in the PLA matrix.