Abstract
This study fabricated polylactic acid (PLA)/kenaf cellulose fiber biocomposite filaments via melt-extrusion process. Kenaf cellulose fibers (KF) were chemically extracted from locally grown kenaf plants and used as reinforcement. Moreover, the KF was then treated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), so-called KFs, to improve the compatibility between the fibers and PLA matrix. Also, the plasticizers (polyethylene glycol) were incorporated to enhance the flowability and processability of the biocomposites. The melt viscosities of the biocomposites increased as the solid KF and KFs were loaded. However, they were significantly decreased with the addition of plasticizers. The combined use of the plasticizers and TEOS treatment improved tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation of the biocomposites compared to the neat PLA. The obtained PLA/KFs biocomposite materials are proved to be a mechanical-improved material that could offer the opportunity for rapid production of 3D fully degradable biocomposite prototypes for applications in sustainable textiles and apparel, personalized prostheses and some medical devices that require high strength and elongation.
Highlights
Polymer composites have achieved attractive interests over the years for numerous applications and industries such as automotive, aerospace, and biomedical applications
Kenaf cellulose fibers extracted from locally grown kenaf plants (KF) are successful in being used as reinforcements in the polylactic acid (PLA) matrix
This study arrived at a methodology of fabricating good-quality PLA/kenaf cellulose biocomposite filaments for the melt extrusion based-3D printing processes, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing
Summary
Polymer composites have achieved attractive interests over the years for numerous applications and industries such as automotive, aerospace, and biomedical applications. Natural raw material, has a nearly perfect inerratic structure with good mechanical properties It was used as a fiber enhancer or reinforcement in polymer composites. As stated in several studies, melt compounding or melt extrusion techniques are the most common methods in making well-dispersed polymer-based composites (Pinto et al 2013) Compatibilizer, such as maleic anhydride, is proposed to enhance the interfacial adhesion and cellulose dispersion in the PLA matrix (Zhou et al 2018). Cellulose can be modified with silane derivatives to use as a reinforcement in green polymer composites potentially Such modification significantly affected their physio-chemical properties, including structural, thermal, and morphological characteristics (Frone et al 2013; Thakur et al 2014). Different aspects, including thermal properties, rheological behaviors, morphology, and mechanical properties of the biocomposites, are discussed
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