Effect of fiber surface-treatments on the properties of laminated biocomposites from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and kenaf fibers

Published Date
Composites Science and Technology
February 2008, Vol.68(2):424–432, doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.06.022

• Author 

• Masud S. Huda ^a
• Lawrence T. Drzal ^a
• Amar K. Mohanty ^b
• Manjusri Misra ^a,,

• aComposite Materials and Structures Center, 2100 Engineering Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
• bSchool of Packaging, 130 Packaging Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Received 8 September 2006. Revised 11 June 2007. Accepted 19 June 2007. Available online 5 July 2007. 

Abstract

Kenaf fiber reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) laminated composites were prepared by compression molding using the film-stacking method. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of these composites as a function of modification of kenaf fiber by using alkalization and silane-treatments. It was found that both silane-treated fiber (FIBSI) reinforced composite and alkali treated fiber (FIBNA) reinforced composite offered superior mechanical properties compared to untreated fiber (FIB) reinforced composite. The alkali- followed by silane-treated fiber (FIBNASI) reinforced composite also significantly improved mechanical properties. The effects of temperature on the viscoelastic properties of composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The heat deflection temperature (HDT) of the PLA laminated composites is significantly higher than that of neat PLA resin. Moreover, morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that better adhesion between the fiber and the matrix was achieved. It was found that standard PLA resins are suitable for the manufacture of kenaf fiber reinforced laminated biocomposites with useful engineering properties.

Keywords

A. Material: Short-fiber composites

B. Property: Impact behavior

C. Analysis: Stress transfer

D. Testing: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

E. Processing: Heat treatment

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