Mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced with microfibrillated cellulose prepared using high speed blending

Authors

  • Supachok Tanpichai King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
  • Jatuphorn Wootthikanokkhan King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi

Keywords:

Microfibrillated cellulose, Stress transfer, Composite, Mechanical properties, Bamboo fibers

Abstract

Bamboo fibers, as a raw cellulose source, were used to prepare microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) using a high speed blender at 20,000 rpm for 60 min. Nanofibers with the width of less than 100 nm were disintegrated from the fibers. MFC networks were then prepared, and embedded in poly(lactic acid) resin using a compression molding at temperature of 180 ºC and a pressure of 10 MPa. Mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced with MFC were investigated. The interaction between MFC fibrils and PLA resin was observed. As a result, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the composites increased to 3.1 GPa and 39 MPa respectively, compared to values of 2.4 GPa and 33 MPa for Young’s modulus and tensile strength of pure poly(lactic acid) resin. This indicates the stress can be transferred from the matrix to the reinforcement phase. The improvement of mechanical properties of the composites confirms that MFC prepared using a high speed blender can be used as reinforcement.

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Published

2014-12-01

How to Cite

[1]
S. Tanpichai and J. Wootthikanokkhan, “Mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced with microfibrillated cellulose prepared using high speed blending”, J Met Mater Miner, vol. 24, no. 2, Dec. 2014.

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Original Research Articles