title: Mechanical and thermal properties of green polylactide composites with natural fillers.
abstract: Green composites of PLA with micropowders derived from agricultural by-products such as oat husks, cocoa shells, and apple solids that remain after pressing have been prepared by melt mixing. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites, including the effect of matrix crystallization and plasticization with poly(propylene glycol), have been studied. All fillers nucleated PLA crystallization and decreased the cold-crystallization temperature. They also affected the mechanical properties of the compositions, increasing the modulus of elasticity but decreasing the elongation at break and tensile impact strength although with few exceptions. Plasticization of the PLA matrix improved the ductility of the composites.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, PAS, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lezak
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kulinski
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masirek
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piorkowska
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pracella
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gadzinowska
mesh_terms: D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D008422:Materials Testing; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)