Biodegradability analysis of KBF reinforced poly(lactic acid) biocomposites

• Published in: Advanced Materials Research
• Main Author: Othman M.; Ibrahim N.A.; Ruzaidi C.M.; Zakaria N.; Halim Z.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84869475086&doi=10.4028%2fwww.scientific.net%2fAMR.576.434&partnerID=40&md5=7c78d7211f24092c8fee8f693a22c6bd

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and kenaf bast fiber (KBF) were melt-blended using brabender into films in the PLA/KBF ratios of 100/0, 90/10, 70/30 and 50/50 for natural soil burial test. This formulation was used to study the biodegradability of PLA and PLA/KBF biocomposites. It was found that the decompositions of the biocomposite were faster than pure PLA. The SEM morphology of the tensile fracture surface of the 30% and 50% of PLA/KBF biocomposites presented larger pores and degradation areas than smaller KBF loading (10 wt%). This result shows that the addition of larger fibre loading to the PLA matrix increased the micropore surface area of the PLA/KBF biocomposite hence accelerated the decompositions time of the biocomposites. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.