Biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) and kenaf fibers: effect of microfibrillated cellulose

摘要

In this work, the influence of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) on the basic mechanical propertiesudof PLA/kenaf fiber biocomposites has been studied. The addition of 5–15 % microfibrillated cellulose to audbiocomposite premix has resulted in an increased glass transition temperature of the final product, produced byudcompression molding of previously melt-mixed composite components. The presence of MFC has influencedudthe interface-sensitive properties of the PLA/kenaf composite: at an optimal loading of 10 %, the interfacialudenergy release rate was increased by about 20 %. Moreover, flexural strength and modulus of the compositesudwere also improved (from 34.8 MPa to 57.1 MPa and from 4.9 GPa to 5.8 GPa, respectively).udKeywords: biocomposites; poly(lactic acid); kenaf fibers; microfibrillated cellulose