title: Structure and properties of poly (lactic acid)/Sterculia urens uniaxial fabric biocomposites.
abstract: Uniaxial cellulose fabric Sterculia urens reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) matrix biocomposites were prepared by a two-roll mill. In order to assess the suitability of Sterculia fabric as reinforcement for PLA matrix, the PLA/Sterculia fabric biocomposites were prepared. Tensile parameters, such as maximum stress, Young's modulus and elongation-at-break, were determined using the Universal Testing Machine. The effect of alkali treatment and silane-coupling agent on the tensile properties of PLA-based biocomposites was studied. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that uniaxial treatment of the fabric can improve the degradation temperature of the biocomposites. Moreover, morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy confirmed that better adhesion between the uniaxial fabric and the matrix was achieved. It was established that standard PLA resins are suitable for the manufacture of S. urens uniaxial fabric reinforced biocomposites with excellent engineering properties, useful for food packaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, CSIR Campus, Building 14D, Private Bag X025, Lynwood Ridge, Pretoria 0040, South Africa. jayaramphd@gmail.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jayaramudu
authors.forename: G Siva Mohan
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Varaprasad
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Sadiku
authors.forename: S Sinha
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: A Varada
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Rajulu
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012821:Silanes / Q000737:chemistry; D032361:Sterculia / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D012821:Silanes; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)