Premium
Thermomechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) films reinforced with hydroxyapatite and regenerated cellulose microfibers
Author(s) -
Mahboubi Soufiani Arman,
Salehi Masoud,
Skrifvars Mikael,
Persson Maria,
Cho SungWoo
Publication year - 2014
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.40911
Subject(s) - materials science , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , cellulose , extrusion , compression molding , composite number , microfiber , lactic acid , dispersion (optics) , chemical engineering , mold , physics , optics , biology , bacteria , engineering , genetics
Novel composite films constituted of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), hydroxyapatite (HAp), and two types of regenerated cellulose fillers—particulate and fibrous type—were produced by melt extrusion in a twin‐screw micro‐compounder. The effect of the film composition on the tensile and dynamic mechanical behavior and the HAp dispersion in the PLA matrix were investigated thoroughly. Appearance of crazed regions and prevention of HAp aggregation in the PLA matrix were elucidated in the composites with up to 15 wt % particulate cellulose content, which was the main reason for only slight reduction in the tensile properties, and consequently trivial degradation of their pre‐failure energy absorption as compared to neat PLA films. Superior dynamical energy storage capacities were obtained for the particulate cellulose modified composites, while their fibrous counterparts had not as good properties. Additionally, the anisotropic mechanical behavior obtained for the extruded composites should be favorable for use as biomaterials aimed at bone tissue engineering applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 40911.