Abstract
Due to the demand from society for the consumption of ecological polymeric materials, one of the polymers that have satisfied this request is the poly (lactic acid) (PLA). This polymer is derived from renewable resources, it is recyclable and biodegradable. It presents a good understanding between the promising properties and the cost. However, a route to increase the mechanical properties and reduce the cost of PLA is the elaboration of PLA based biocomposites by using fillers from natural waste. In this work, The effect of Typha content on the morphological, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties of PLA matrix was studied. Four formulations were produced with different mass concentrations. The results showed an increase in the viscoelastic properties, as a function of the Typha stem powder concentration. The DSC analysis showed an increase in the crystallinity rate of the various composites confirming the nucleating effect provided by the filler. TGA analysis indicated a decrease in the decomposition temperature of the composites. Mechanical tensile tests have shown a significant improvement in the mechanical properties mainly for the samples containing 45% (w/w) of Typha powder.
Highlights
The demand by consumers of wood polymer composites (WPC) is having an important increase
The results showed an increase in the viscoelastic properties, as a function of the Typha stem powder concentration
In the tensile test, some Typha stem powder (TSP) fibers could be extracted directly from the PLA matrix, indicating that the poor mechanical properties mainly resulted from the poor interfacial adhesion
Summary
Due to their much higher resistance to atmospheric factors compared to wood, the WPCs materials are very widely used as a wood substitute for making terraces, platforms or building facades [1] Due to their ecological nature, the polymers from renewable resources have received considerable attention; in addition to the risks of futuristic shortages has been increased demand by the consumer society for environmentally friendly products. It is within this framework, that biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) seems to be one of the best alternatives among all biopolymers with its promising thermal and mechanical properties as well as its low cost [5] [6] [7]. The relationship between the powder-mass ratio and the properties of biocomposites was analyzed
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