MORPHOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYLACTIC ACID/CELLULOSE NANOFIBER COMPOSITE FOAMS

摘要

This paper investigates the foaming behaviors of polylactic acid (PLA)/cellulose nanofiber composites and the mechanical properties of the composites and their foams. The composites were fabricated by mixing PLA and nanofibers in a solvent with different fiber contents, followed by drying and hot pressing into test specimens. The composites were then foamed via a batch foaming process with CO2 as a blowing agent at different foaming conditions. The effect of nanofiber content on the cell morphology of PLA was studied. The impact strength and thermo-mechanical properties of PLA composites and their foams were also investigated.