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The effects on mechanical properties and crystallization of poly ( l ‐lactic acid) reinforced by cellulosic fibers with different scales
Author(s) -
Lu Tingju,
Jiang Man,
Xu Xiaoling,
Zhang Shengli,
Hui David,
Gou Jihua,
Zhou Zuowan
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.41077
Subject(s) - crystallinity , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , crystallization , microcrystalline cellulose , scanning electron microscope , differential scanning calorimetry , cellulose , bacterial cellulose , polylactic acid , cellulose fiber , izod impact strength test , polymer , fiber , chemical engineering , physics , thermodynamics , engineering
Bacterial cellulose (BC), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and bamboo cellulosic fibers (BCFs) were used to reinforce poly( l ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) based bio‐composites. The mechanical properties and crystallization of the composites were studied through mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and polarizing microscope. The incorporation of all three kinds of cellulose increased the stiffness of the composites compared to pure PLLA. The reinforcing effect of the MCC in the composites is most significant. The Young's modulus and impact toughness of the MCC/PLLA composites were increased by 44.4% and 58.8%, respectively. The tensile strength of the MCC/PLLA composites was increased to 71 MPa from 61 MPa of PLLA. However, the tensile strength of the composites reinforced with BCF or BC was lower than PLLA. The three kinds of cellulosic fibers improved the crystallization of PLLA. The BC with smallest size provided the composites with smallest grain and highest crystallinity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 41077.