Influence of Montmorillonite Clay Content on Thermal, Mechanical, Water Absorption and Biodegradability Properties of Treated Kenaf Fiber/ PLA-Hybrid Biocomposites

Abstract

Nowadays, the starring attentions of the polylactic acid based composites are improved due to environmental awareness and diminution of petroleum oil. The bio-plastics were restricted to limited applications due to its higher cost. The bio-plastics filled fiber and or fillers lessen the cost with enhanced properties. In this research, the PLA- biocomposite and PLA-hybrid biocomposites were prepared with twin screw extruder, two-roll mill, and compression molding method. The PLA based bio and hybrid biocomposites are fabricated with 30 wt% of treated kenaf fiber and 0, 1, 2 and 3 wt% montmorillonite clay filler. The influence of MMT clay on thermal, mechanical, water absorption and biodegradable properties of PLA-biocomposite and PLA-hybrid biocomposites has been studied. The PLA-hybrid biocomposites thermal, mechanical and water resistance properties are increased with adding of MMT clay. However, 1 wt% MMT clay included PLA-hybrid biocomposite exhibits increased tensile, flexural and impact properties, and abrasion resistance than other PLA-hybrid biocomposites. The PLA-bio and hybrid biocomposites showed higher tensile and flexural modulus than pure- PLA. The results TGA analysis depicted that inclusion of MMT clay can improve the decomposition temperature of the biocomposite. SEM analysis discloses that, MMT clay it acts as a transfer mechanism. The water absorption and biodegradability properties results illustrates that water resistance of hybrid biocomposites improved and biodegradability decreased due to adding of MMT clay.