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Benefits of low kenaf loading in biobased composites of poly( L ‐lactide) and kenaf fiber
Author(s) -
Ogbomo Sunny M.,
Chapman Kent,
Webber Charles,
Bledsoe Robert,
D'Souza Nandika A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.29519
Subject(s) - kenaf , materials science , composite material , bast fibre , differential scanning calorimetry , crystallinity , compression molding , scanning electron microscope , crystallization , thermal stability , dispersion (optics) , fiber , composite number , biocomposite , chemical engineering , mold , physics , optics , engineering , thermodynamics
Bast fibers from stems of kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus , L.), a warm‐season tropical herbaceous annual plant, were dispersed into poly‐ L ‐lactide (PLLA) matrix by melt‐mixing followed by compression molding. Low fiber fractions (1–5%) were investigated. The composites showed a slight lowering of thermal stability when evaluated by thermogravimentric analysis. X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry indicated an influence of kenaf on the crystallization of PLLA. The fiber dispersion in the polymer matrix was established by polarized optical microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy showed good fiber–matrix adhesion as revealed by the combination of dispersion, interaction, and crystallinity, which enabled an increase in the mechanical properties of the composite that scaled with concentration. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009