Aerobic biodegradability of polyester/polylactic acid composites for automotive NVH parts

• Published in: International journal of precision engineering and manufacturing Vol. 15; no. 8; pp. 1703 - 1707
• Main Authors: Jeoung, Sun Kyoung, Ha, Jin Uk, Ko, Youn Ki, Kim, Bo-Ram, Yoo, Seung Eul, Lee, Ki Dong, Lee, Su Nam, Lee, Pyoung-Chan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Korean Society for Precision Engineering 01.08.2014
• Subjects: Engineering; Industrial and Production Engineering; Materials Science; NVH parts; PLA; Biodegradability; Dash isolation pad; Automotive; Retardancy
• ISSN: 2234-7593; 2005-4602
• DOI: 10.1007/s12541-014-0522-7

The biodegradability of the environmental dash isolation pad was determined under aerobic conditions (ISO-14855-1). The environmental dash isolation pad was fabricated with polyester fiber and low-melting PLA fiber (LM-PLA), instead of low-melting polyester fiber. The results showed a biodegradation of 27% under aerobic conditions within a period of 45 days of composting. The commercial dash isolation pad using LM-PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fiber did not biodegrade under aerobic condition. The decrement of tensile strength and weight loss of PET/30% LM-PLA composite after 40 days were 50% and 24%, respectively, since the LM-PLA was degraded due to the progression of biodegradation. The change of molecular weight of LM-PLA fiber was examined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The degradation of the polymer chains was caused by aerobic bacteria and its molecular weight was gradually reduced. The environmental dash isolation pads were left with 18 months under atmospheres, however, the change of tensile strength were lowing 19.8%, while the commercial dash isolation pad resulted in 19.6%. It showed a reduction of 50% in its tensile strength under aerobic conditions, no deformation or cracks were observed after the durability test.