Biodegradable Green Composites from Natural Fibers and Bioplastics

摘要

The composites industry has acknowledged the issues of sustainability,rnunderstanding the need to embrace non-petrochemical feedstock being a sector withrngreatest potential for bio-renewable implementation. Our research is concentratedrnon fabricating biodegradable green composites comprising renewable resourcernbased compostable plastics and natural fibers as reinforcement. Natural fibers usedrnin the research work include perennial grass like switchgrass. Stimulating thisrnresearch affirms the value enhancement for the crop by providing higher marginsrnand by extending the value chains benefitting the agro-food sector. Secondly, theserngreen composites would serve as major drivers of sustainable developments tornautomakers, making significant shift towards eco-friendly composites whilernmeeting the consumer pull for greener products.rnIn present study, we investigated the effect of incorporating switchgrass into arnbiodegradable polymer matrix comprising a pre-blend of poly (3-hydroxybutyrateco-rn3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/ poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)rnfabricated by industry prevalent melt processing i.e., twin screw extrusionrntechnique followed by injection moulding. The switchgrass loading levels at 25 %rnand 30 % were investigated. Mechanical (flexural properties), thermal and thermornmechanical properties were studied extensively with different fiber loading.