Flexural Properties of Long Bamboo Fiber/ PLA Composites

Shinji Ochi

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Niihama College, Ehime, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojcm.2015.53010                

Abstract

This paper describes the flexural properties of biodegradable composites made using natural fiber and biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable composites were fabricated from bamboo fiber bundles and PLA (polylactic acid) resin. In this research, effect of molding temperature and fiber content on flexural properties of bamboo fiber reinforced composites was investigated. The flexural strength of this composite increased with increasing fiber content up to 70%. The flexural strength of composites decreased at molding temperature of 180°C. Biodegradable composites possessed extremely high flexural strength of 273 MPa, in the case of molding temperature of 160°C and fiber content of 70%.

Keywords

Bamboo Fiber, PLA, Biodegradable Composites, Natural Fiber, Flexural Strength

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Bayerl, T., Geith, M., Somashekar, A.A. and Bhattacharyya, D. (2014) Influence of Fibre Architecture on the Biodegradability of FLAX/PLA Composites. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 96, 18-25.
[2]	Bax, B. and Müssig, J. (2008) Impact and Tensile Properties of PLA/Cordenka and PLA/Flax Composites. Composites Science and Technology, 68, 1601-1607. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.01.004
[3]	Oza, S., Ning, H.B., Ferguson, I. and Lu, N. (2014) Effect of Surface Treatment on Thermal Stability of the Hemp- PLA Composites: Correlation of Activation Energy with Thermal Degradation. Composites Part B: Engineering, 67, 227-232.
[4]	Baghaei, B., Skrifvars, M. and Berglin, L. (2013) Manufacture and Characterisation of Thermoplastic Composites Made from PLA/Hemp Co-Wrapped Hybrid Yarn Prepregs. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 50, 93-101.
[5]	Jandas, P.J., Mohanty, S. and Nayak, S.K. (2013) Surface Treated Banana Fiber Reinforced Poly (Lactic Acid) Nanocomposites for Disposable Applications. Journal of Cleaner Production, 52, 392-401. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.03.033
[6]	Rajesh, G. and Ratna Prasad, A.V. (2014) Tensile Properties of Successive Alkali Treated Short Jute Fiber Reinforced PLA Composites. Procedia Materials Science, 5, 2188-2196.
[7]	Goriparthi, B.K., Suman, K.N.S. and Rao, N.M. (2012) Effect of Fiber Surface Treatments on Mechanical and Abrasive Wear Performance of Polylactide/Jute Composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 43, 1800-1808.
[8]	Yu, T. and Li, Y. (2014) Influence of Poly(butylenesadipate-co-terephthalate) on the Properties of the Biodegradable Composites Based on Ramie/Poly(lactic acid). Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 58, 24-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2013.11.013
[9]	Shukor, F., Hassan, A., Islam, Md.S., Mokhtar, M. and Hasan, M. (2014) Effect of Ammonium Polyphosphate on Flame Retardancy, Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Alkali Treated Kenaf Fiber Filled PLA Biocomposites. Materials & Design, 54, 425-429.
[10]	Saba, N., Paridah, M.T. and Jawaid, M. (2015) Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite: A Review. Construction and Building Materials, 76, 87-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.11.043
[11]	Ebnesajjad, S. (2012) Handbook of Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics. Fluoroconsultants Group, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.
[12]	Zhao, H.B., Cui, Z.X., Wang, X.F., Turng, L.-S. and Peng, X.F. (2013) Processing and Characterization of Solid and Microcellular Poly(lacticacid)/Polyhydroxybutyrate-Valerate (PLA/PHBV) Blends and PLA/PHBV/Clay Nanocomposites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 51, 79-91.
[13]	Testa, G., Sardella, A., Rossi, E., Bozzi, C. and Seves, A. (1994) The Kinetics of Cellulose Fiber Degradation and Correlation with Some Tensile Properties. Acta Polymer, 45, 47-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/actp.1994.010450109
[14]	Ochi, S. (2002) Mechanical Properties of Heat-Treated Natural Fibers. Proceedings of High Performance Structures and Composites, 4, 117-125.
[15]	Gassan, J. and Bledzki, A.K. (2001) Thermal Degradation of Flax and Jute Fibers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 82, 1417-1422. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.1979
[16]	Porras, A. and Maranon, A. (2012) Development and Characterization of a Laminate Composite Material from Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Woven Bamboo Fabric. Composites Part B: Engineering, 43, 2782-2788. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.04.039
[17]	Verma, C.S., Sharma, N.K., Chariar, V.M., Maheshwari, S. and Hada, M.K. (2014) Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Laminae and Their Laminates with Woods and Wood Based Composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 60, 523-530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.12.061
[18]	Osswald, T.A. and Menges, G. (2003) Materials Science of Polymers for Engineers. HanserGrderPubns, Germany.
[19]	Hull, D. and Clyne, T.W. (1996) An Introduction to Composite Materials. 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.