Biodegradable Green Composites from Natural Fibers and Bioplastics

摘要

The composites industry has acknowledged the issues of sustainability, understanding the need to embrace non-petrochemical feedstock being a sector with greatest potential for bio-renewable implementation. Our research is concentrated on fabricating biodegradable green composites comprising renewable resource based compostable plastics and natural fibers as reinforcement. Natural fibers used in the research work include perennial grass like switchgrass. Stimulating this research affirms the value enhancement for the crop by providing higher margins and by extending the value chains benefitting the agro-food sector. Secondly, these green composites would serve as major drivers of sustainable developments to automakers, making significant shift towards eco-friendly composites while meeting the consumer pull for greener products. In present study, we investigated the effect of incorporating switchgrass into a biodegradable polymer matrix comprising a pre-blend of poly (3-hydroxybutyrateco- 3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/ poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) fabricated by industry prevalent melt processing i.e., twin screw extrusion technique followed by injection moulding. The switchgrass loading levels at 25 % and 30 % were investigated. Mechanical (flexural properties), thermal and thermo mechanical properties were studied extensively with different fiber loading.