Effect of fiber treatment on thermal properties and crystallization of sisal fiber reinforced polylactide composites

Abstract

Low-polymerization degree polylactide was grafted onto sisal fiber surface on the basis of the principle of lactide coordinative ring-opening polymerization. The effects of surface treatment on the thermal properties of sisal fibers were investigated. Sisal fiber reinforced polylactide composites were prepared by melt blending, and the impacts of surface treatment and annealing treatment on thermal properties and crystallization of the composites were studied. Results demonstrated that thermal stability of composites decreased with the addition of sisal fibers, among which lactide-grafted sisal fiber reinforced polylactide (PLA/SF-g-LA) composites decreased the most. The crystallinity of composites increased with the addition of sisal fibers compared with neat polylactide. Transcrystallinity appeared in PLA around the sisal fibers with the addition of sisal fibers. The glass transition temperature, crystallinity and crystal perfection of neat polylactide and composites were improved with annealing treatment.