Preparation and Characterization of Durian Husk Fiber Filled Polylactic Acid Biocomposites

S Narayana Namasivayam,Ming Meng Pang,S.W Eunice Phang,B.L Chua,L.C Yong,A.S.M Al-Obaidi,Pui May Chou,Ming Yeng Chan,Kim Yeow Tsai,Seong Chun Koay,Y.H Chow,M Hosseini Fouladi,Man Chee Lee

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201815202007

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is biodegradable thermoplastic that made from renewable raw material, but its high cost limited the application. Thus, addition of natural fiber can be effectively reduced the cost of PLA. This research is utilised natural fiber extracted from durian husk to made PLA biocomposites. This paper is focus on the effect of fiber content on tensile and thermal properties of PLA/durian husk fiber (DHF) biocomposites. The results found that the tensile strength and modulus of this biocomposites increased with increase of fiber content, but the strength still lower compared to neat PLA. Then, the elongation at break of biocomposites was expected decreased at higher fiber content. The PLA/DHF biocomposites with 60 phr fiber content exhibited tensile strength of 11 MPa, but it is too brittle yet for any application. The addition of DHF caused an early thermal degradation on PLA biocomposites. Then, the thermal stability of PLA biocomposites was decreased with more fiber content.

Highlights

In 2015, researchers found 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics waste were produced globally and 6.3 billion tons of this plastic products are turning into waste
Part of the plastic product has replace by bioplastic that able to biodegradable after disposal
Natural fiber displays a higher mechanical strength compared to most plastic material [15]

Summary

Introduction

In 2015, researchers found 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics waste were produced globally and 6.3 billion tons of this plastic products are turning into waste. The amount of plastics waste for land fill are expected to achieve 12 billion metric tons, if the current trends is keep going on [1]. Plastic material made from petroleum resources are chemically stable which hardly to biodegrade in environment. Part of the plastic product has replace by bioplastic that able to biodegradable after disposal. The production of bioplastic over the world is about 750,000 tons per year. The main reason why PLA is seldom choose by industrial as their main choice of material, because the price of PLA resin is more expensive than conventional plastic [5,6]

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Results

Conclusion