Abstract
Modifications of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by chemically modified flax fiber bundles and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) plasticizer was carried out. First flax fiber bundles were subjected to different silane treatment conditions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that the covalent bonding between silane agent and flax fiber occurs only in the presence of water and water/ethanol solvents. The intensity of the signal related to silane amino groups clearly increased with the decrease of fiber/silane ratio and an increase in the reaction time. The mechanical behavior of the composites showed that after silane treatment flax fiber/PLA interfacial adhesion was enhanced. Regarding the plasticizer effect of PEG, all PLA/PEG blends showed lower glass transition temperatures and the deformation at break increased compared to neat PLA. Finally, the tensile properties of PLA matrix modified with both silane-treated flax fibers and PEG plasticizer were studied.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Polyethylene-Based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Pages | 429-445 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781119038467 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781119038450 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Dec 2016 |
| MoE publication type | Not Eligible |
Keywords
- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
- Matrix modification
- Polymer-matrix composites
- Surface treatments