Abstract
The influence of cellulose nano fibers extracted from the fruit of luffa cylindrica (LC) on the tensile, flexural and impact properties of composite materials using poly lactic acid (PLA) processed by micro compounding and injection molding was studied. Preliminary results suggested promising mechanical properties. The impact strength, tensile strength and flexural strength of the composites increased with incorporation of very low content of LC fiber up to 2 wt%. But when the wt of LC fiber in the composite increased (5 wt% and 10 wt%), mechanical strength of the composites reduced probably due to agglomeration of cellulose fibers. However, modulus of composites was enhanced with increase in wt of fiber content in the composites. Before reinforcement, the LC fibers were modified with calcium phosphate in order to explore the possibilities of using these composites in biomedical industries. The novelty of this work is that there is no use of compatiblizer and coupling agent during the processing so that the cost of processing is reduced.
Highlights
The development of bio composites started in 1980s
The results revealed that cellulose nano fiber (CNF) was uniformly distributed in the poly lactic acid (PLA) matrix at very low content of 1 and 3 wt%
The XRD peak at 34.64 ̊ shows the presence of hydroxy apatite (JCPDS 34-0010) of (300) crystallographic plane in the treated luffa cylindrica (LC) fiber [9]
Summary
The development of bio composites started in 1980s. Bio composites use natural fiber as reinforcement and renewable polymers as matrix. Bio degradable polymers like startch, poly hydroxy alkanoates, poly lactic acid and soy based plastics are currently investigated by many research workers throughout the globe [1] [2]. Of the above mentioned polymers PLA based composites have been extensively studied by many research workers throughout the globe to explore the ability of PLA to undergo hydrolysis in all environments as well as in human body. PLA is an aliphatic polyester which is obtained by polymerization of lactic acid. PLA has advantages like bio compatibility and better thermal processibility compared to other bio polymers. PLA is a brittle polymer and it needs modification for real practical applications
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