Comparison of Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polyoxymethylene/Cellulose and Poly(Lactic Acid)/Cellulose Composites

2018 ◽  
Vol 916 ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Nisarat Wimonsupakit ◽  
Sasithorn Kuhaudomlap

The objective of this study is to fabricate the polyoxymethylene (POM)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/MCC composites, and to compare the effect of MCC on the morphology and mechanical properties of POM and PLA. The polymer composites were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer and molded by compression molding. The MCC concentrations were 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 10% by weight. From scanning electron microscopy study observes the fracture surface of POM and PLA composites is much rough and the roughness increases with increasing MCC content. This observation indicates MCC induces the ductile fracture characteristic of POM and PLA. The addition of MCC can improve the impact strength of PLA composite and improve Young’s modulus of both POM and PLA composites. While the tensile strength and strain at break decrease after adding MCC. In summary, MCC can enhance the morphology and mechanical properties of PLA composites is better than POM composites.

2016 ◽  
Vol 835 ◽  
pp. 284-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Chawisa Wisuttrakarn ◽  
Kasana Chomphunoi

The effects of the montmorillonite clay surface modified with 25-30 wt% of methyl dihydroxyethyl hydrogenated tallow ammonium (Clay-MHA) on morphology and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber copolymer (NBR)/Clay-MHA composites were investigated. The composites of blends of PLA/NBR with Clay-MHA were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer and molded by compression molding. The ratio of PLA and NBR was 80/20 by weight and the Clay-MHA content was 1, 3, 5 and 7 phr. The results showed Young’s modulus and stress at break of the composites increased with increasing Clay-MHA content. While the tensile strength and strain at break of the composites decreased with increasing Clay-MHA content. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the addition of Clay-MHA could improve the miscibility of PLA and NBR to be homogeneous blends and the pore in polymer blends was disappeared.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1009 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Paweena Hanjai ◽  
Sanya Khongaio ◽  
Manop Phankokkruad

The work studied the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) blends before and after adding the montmorillonite clay surface modified with 25-30% of octadecylamine (clay-ODA). The PLA/EOC blends and composites were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. The EOC contents were 5, 10, 20, 30 wt% and clay-ODA contents were 1 and 3 phr. The morphology analysis showed that the addition of clay-ODA could improve the miscibility of PLA and EOC phases due to the domain size of dispersed EOC phase decreased with increasing clay-ODA content. X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of intercalated/exfoliated structure in PLA/clay-ODA and PLA blend composites. The mechanical properties showed that the impact strength of PLA/EOC blends dramatically increased with increasing EOC content up to 10 wt%. The strain at break of PLA blends increased with increasing EOC content. Moreover, the incorporation of clay-ODA increased significantly Young’s modulus of PLA and PLA/EOC blends with increasing clay-ODA content. The thermal stability of PLA/EOC blends improved with the addition of a small amount of clay-ODA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 775 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Kasana Chomphunoi ◽  
Chawisa Wisuttrakarn ◽  
Manop Phankokkruad

This work investigated the mechanical properties and phase morphology of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) blends and nanocomposites, which prepared by melt blending in an internal mixer. The contents of NBR were 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% and the content of organoclay was 3 phr. The impact test showed that the impact strength of PLA/NBR blends increased with an increase of NBR content and the impact strength of the blends was more than eight times by adding NBR 10 wt% when compared with neat PLA. The tensile test showed that Young’s modulus and tensile strength of PLA/NBR blends and nanocomposites decreased after adding NBR and organoclay. While the strain at break of the NBR blends increased with increasing NBR content. This result is attributed to the rubber phase in NBR in a cause the increment of elongation and elasticity in PLA/NBR blends. The morphology of PLA/NBR blends observed the fractured surface was rougher than that of pure PLA. This observation indicates that the addition of NBR in PLA can change the brittle fracture of PLA to ductile fracture, which has an effect to the strain at break or elongation of PLA. However, the morphology of the PLA/NBR blends were also observed the phase separation of the dispersed NBR phase and PLA matrix phase, and appeared the voids in a polymer matrix. The addition of organoclay had an effect slightly on the morphology of the blends. From X-ray diffraction, results found that PLA/organoclay and PLA/NBR/organoclay nanocomposites showed the intercalated structure, which PLA chains were inserted into the interlayer of clay due to the increase of d-spacing.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2688
Author(s):  
F.A.M.M. Gonçalves ◽  
Sandra M. A. Cruz ◽  
Jorge F. J. Coelho ◽  
Arménio C. Serra

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and renewability, is one of the most promising biobased polymers for replacing some of the petrol-based materials. Low flexibility of PLA is overcome, by blending it with olefin-based polymers, such as polypropylene (PP). However, the use of compatibilizing agents is required to attain final materials with suitable mechanical properties. Such agents, although essential, can affect PLA structure and, consequently, the mechanical properties of the PLA. To the best of our knowledge, this issue was never studied, and the results can contribute to achieving the best formulations of PLA-based blends according to their final applications. The thermal and mechanical properties of the extruded PLA, with three different commercial compatibilizing agents, were evaluated with the purpose of demonstrating how the compatibilizers can introduce structural differences into the PLA chain during the extrusion process. The combination of crystallinity, molecular weight, and the morphology of the samples after extrusion determines the final mechanical properties of PLA. Despite being a fundamental study, it is our aim to contribute to the sustainability of PLA-based industries. The addition of a 2.5% concentration of C1 compatibilizer seems to have less influence on the final morphology and mechanical properties of the blends.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2531
Author(s):  
Rodion Kopitzky

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a residue available in large quantities from the sugar industry, and can serve as a cost-effective bio-based and biodegradable filler for fully bio-based compounds based on bio-based polyesters. The heterogeneous cell structure of sugar beet suggests that the processing of SBP can affect the properties of the composite. An “Ultra-Rotor” type air turbulence mill was used to produce SBP particles of different sizes. These particles were processed in a twin-screw extruder with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and fillers to granules for possible marketable formulations. Different screw designs, compatibilizers and the use of glycerol as a thermoplasticization agent for SBP were also tested. The spherical, cubic, or ellipsoidal-like shaped particles of SBP are not suitable for usage as a fiber-like reinforcement. In addition, the fineness of ground SBP affects the mechanical properties because (i) a high proportion of polar surfaces leads to poor compatibility, and (ii) due to the inner structure of the particulate matter, the strength of the composite is limited to the cohesive strength of compressed sugar-cell compartments of the SBP. The compatibilization of the polymer–matrix–particle interface can be achieved by using compatibilizers of different types. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture patterns show that the compatibilization can lead to both well-bonded particles and cohesive fracture patterns in the matrix. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties are limited by the impact and elongation behavior. Therefore, the applications of SBP-based composites must be well considered.


2017 ◽  
Vol 737 ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Chaninthon Ounyai ◽  
Ployvaree Rassamee

The effects of four types of organoclay on morphology and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/propylene-ethylene copolymer (PEC) blends were investigated. The ratio of PLA and PEC was 80/20 by weight and the organoclay content was 5 phr. The morphology analysis showed that the addition of all oganocaly types could improve the miscibility of PLA and PEC blends due to the decreased of the domain sizes of PEC dispersed phase in the polymer matrix. The tensile properties showed Young’s modulus of the PLA/PEC blends was improved after adding clay treated surface with 25-30 wt% trimethyl stearyl ammonium.


2012 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 1393-1397
Author(s):  
Buranin Saengiet ◽  
Wasin Koosomsuan ◽  
Phassakarn Paungprasert ◽  
Rattikarn Khankrua ◽  
Sumonman Naimlang ◽  
...  

The frozen instant food packaging is the one of disposal product, which produced from petroleum–based plastic and has been accumulated worldwide pressuring on the environment. Therefore, the biodegradable plastics have become key candidates in this application. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was regarded as one of the most promising biodegradable polymer due to its good mechanical properties. The aim of this work was to study on the freezability and microwavability of PLA through crosslink reaction. For the improvement of the processibility of PLA, hyperbranched polymer (HBP) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) were used as plasticizer. Then the crosslinking of PLA was introduced by addition of peroxide (Luperox101) and triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) in an internal mixer. Neat and modified PLA samples were characterized and testing for mechanical properties. From the gel content results, it was showed the increased value with the increased content of TAIC due to the denser crosslinked structure of polymer. This result was confirmed by FT-IR spectra. All modified PLA samples showed the higher %strain at break than neat PLA. In addition, impact resistance in frozen state showed the results of modified PLA with 0.1wt% of peroxide and 0.15 wt% of TAIC, was higher than neat PLA. Moreover, this composition also showed the highest microwave response and heat accumulation was suppressed when the specimen was immersed in the water during the test. From the results obtained in this work, the further investigation is needed to pursue and elucidate the relationship between the polymer structure and heat absorption when materials undergo the microwave radiation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1094-1108
Author(s):  
Thanh Chi Nguyen ◽  
Chaiwat Ruksakulpiwat ◽  
Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat

Biocomposites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) extracted from cassava pulp were successfully prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. CNFs were prepared from cassava pulp by submitting to alkali hydrolysis, bleaching treatment, and acid hydrolysis. The compatibility between CNFs and PLA matrix was improved using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafted PLA (PLA-g-GMA) as an effective compatibilizer. Higher elongation at break and impact strength of PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites was achieved compared to that of neat PLA. PLA-g-GMA shows a strong effect on the crystallization behavior of the biocomposites. The PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites induce cold crystallization to take place at lower temperature. Higher degree of crystallinity of PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites was obtained compared to PLA/CNFs biocomposites. The mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/CNFs biocomposites at various ratios were investigated. With increasing CNFs contents, the modulus of the biocomposites increases. Thermal stability of PLA/CNFs and PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites did not change significantly compared to that of neat PLA.


Author(s):  
Jamileh Shojaeiarani ◽  
Dilpreet Bajwa

Biopolymers are emerging materials with numerous capabilities of minimizing the environmental hazards caused by synthetic materials. The competitive mechanical properties of bio-based poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have attracted a huge interest in improving the mechanical properties of the corresponding nanocomposites. To obtain optimal properties of PLA-CNC nanocomposites, the compatibility between PLA and CNCs needs to be improved through uniform dispersion of CNCs into PLA. The application of chemical surface functionalization technique is an essential step to improve the interaction between hydrophobic PLA and hydrophilic CNCs. In this study, a combination of a time-efficient esterification technique and masterbatch approach was used to improve the CNCs dispersibility in PLA. Nanocomposites reinforced by 1, 3, and 5 wt% functionalized CNCs were prepared using twin screw extrusion followed by injection molding process. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of pure PLA and nanocomposites were studied through tensile, impact and dynamic mechanical analysis. The impact fractured surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical test results exhibited that tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of nanocomposites improved by 70% and 11% upon addition of functionalized CNCs into pure PLA. The elongation at break and impact strength of nanocomposites exhibited 43% and 35% increase as compared to pure PLA. The rough and irregular fracture surface in nanocomposites confirmed the higher ductility in PLA nanocomposites as compared to pure PLA. The incorporation of functionalized CNCs into PLA resulted in an increase in storage modulus and a decrease in tan δ intensity which was more profound in nanocomposites reinforced with 3 wt% functionalized CNCs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document