Biocomposites Based on Poly (Lactic Acid) and Their Recyclability

Srebrenkoska, Vineta and Bogoeva-Gaceva, Gordana (2010) Biocomposites Based on Poly (Lactic Acid) and Their Recyclability. Quality of Life, 2 (1-2). pp. 21-32. ISSN 1986-602X

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Abstract

Biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) based biocomposites reinforced with rice hulls were prepared by
compression molding and their properties were compared to those of commonly used thermoplastic based-polymer, polypropylene
(PP) containing the same reinforcements.
Rice hulls from rice processing plants represent renewable sources that could be utilized for production of new class of
eco-materials. In this study, rice-hulls-fi lled poly (lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites were prepared through addition of 5
wt. % PLA-grafted-MA (CA) for enhancement of adhesion between polymer matrix and natural fi ller. The composites
containing 30% wt. rice hulls (RH) were prepared and the possibility of recycling and reuse of these biocomposites were
investigated. For all biocomposites, the mechanical and thermal properties were analyzed and compared to those of commonly
used thermoplastic based-polymer, polypropylene (PP) containing the same reinforcement. Thermal stability of
neat biocomposites and of the new composites produced from recycled ones was practically unchanged. Utilization of
the mixture obtained after the thermal-mechanical recycling of the whole biocomposite has resulted into composite with
slightly increased fl exural modulus and decreased fl exural strength.
The obtained results have shown that rice-hull-fi lled poly(lactic acid) biocomposites could be recycled and utilized for
production of new eco-materials with acceptable thermal and mechanical properties. Namely, the results for fl exural
strength and modulus of the recycled biocomposite samples are comparable to those of conventional formaldehyde wood
medium density fi berboards used as construction elements for indoor applications.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Engineering and Technology > Materials engineering
Divisions:	Faculty of Technology
Depositing User:	Vineta Srebrenkoska
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2012 08:26
Last Modified:	02 Oct 2013 13:00
URI:	https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/1777

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