Abstract
This research investigates the effects of plasticizer and durian skin fibre (DSF) loading on tensile and morphological properties of polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites. Epoxidized palm oil (EPO) was added as a plasticizer in this project. The effect of EPO content 0–10 wt% was investigated over the tensile properties of PLA. EPO at 5 wt% was found to provide the highest tensile properties on PLA biocomposite. The plasticized PLA was then investigated for the effect of DSF content by varying the DSF at 1, 3 and 5 wt%. The tensile properties improved by about 7% with 3 wt% DSF. Scanning electron micrograph revealed that a ductile failure was induced in PLA composite with 5 wt% EPO and 3 wt% DSF.
Highlights
To preserve planet for generation, the use of natural fibre polymer composites is receiving great attention in food packaging industry
In 2014, Department of Environment, Malaysia reported that the highest percentage of waste (~ 56%) accumulated in Malaysia is dominated by wastage dumped into landfills to decompose rather than through recycling or incineration
The effect of epoxidized palm oil (EPO) on polylactic acid (PLA)/PCL was studied by [7]. They reported that EPO reduced the tensile strength and modulus of PLA/PCL blend produced via solution casting
Summary
To preserve planet for generation, the use of natural fibre polymer composites is receiving great attention in food packaging industry. Biodegradable natural fibre-polymer composite is an alternative for food packaging offering range of functional due to their excellent properties in biodegradability, biocompatibility and edible [3]. Due to low molecular weight and non-volatile compounds in the plasticizers, other properties will be indirectly affected. This includes reduce the tension of deformation, viscosity, hardness and at the same time resistance to biological degradation. The effect of epoxidized palm oil (EPO) on PLA/PCL was studied by [7] They reported that EPO reduced the tensile strength and modulus of PLA/PCL blend produced via solution casting. This paper investigates the effects of plasticizer and durian skin fibre content on the tensile properties of polylactic acid biocomposites. International Journal of Engineering Materials and Manufacture, 1(1), 16-20
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