Effect of Hydrothermally Prepared Graft Copolymer Addition on a Brittle Matrix: A Preliminary Study on Glass Fiber Reinforced PLA/LLDPE-g-MA Composite

摘要

Green chemistry approach (hydrothermal process) is utilized for grafting maleic anhydride (MA) into linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), thereby enhancing the compatiblility of the latter in its blend with polylactic acid (PLA). The grafting of MA into LLDPE is confirmed by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. LLDPE-g-MA content in PLA matrix is varied as 4% wt., 8% wt. and 12% wt. when preparing glass fiber reinforced PLA/LLDPE-g-MA thermoplastic composite via hot pressing. Single Edge Notch Bend (SENB) specimens have been prepared from the composites and three points bend test was performed. The load-displacement plot of the test results indicates that the ductility index (DI) increased for the samples with increased LLDPE-g-MA content. The observation of the fractured surface of specimens in Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) suggests that the improved DI value is because of the increased matrix ductility owing to the plasticizing effect of the LLDPE-g-MAH inclusion.