Kenaf-filled biodegradable composites: rheological and mechanical behaviour

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. 1542 - 1548
• Main Authors: Lo Re, Giada, Morreale, Marco, Scaffaro, Roberto, La Mantia, Francesco Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.10.2012; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; biodegradable; Exact sciences and technology; mechanical properties; Physicochemistry of polymers; polymer composites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; rheological properties; Technology of polymers; Elastic modulus; biodegradable; Wood; Natural fiber; polymer composites; Plant fiber; Mechanical properties; Elastic properties; Wood waste; Composite material; Tensile strength; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.4243

Biodegradable polymer composites, typically based on biodegradable polymer matrices and natural‐organic fillers, are gaining rising interest and importance over the last few years. Several natural‐organic fillers can be used but the most widespread so far is wood, in the form of fibres or flour. Alternative cellulosic fillers can ensure advantages in terms of resource utilization and properties of the final composite. In this work, Mater‐Bi® based biodegradable composites were prepared with two kinds of wood flour, and directly compared with alternative composites containing kenaf fibres. The use of kenaf fibres allowed improved elastic modulus, tensile strength and interaction with the polymer matrix to be obtained, although the filler dispersion was worse. Rheological measurements evidenced higher viscosity and an increasingly elastic behaviour of the melt. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry Biodegradable composites filled with wood flour or kenaf fibers were prepared, finding significant differences in terms of rheological properties and mechanical performance, mainly due to different behaviour at microscopic level.