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Performance Evaluation of Biofibers and Their Hybrids as Reinforcements in Bioplastic Composites
Author(s) -
Nanda Malaya R.,
Misra Manjusri,
Mohanty Amar K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201200112
Subject(s) - bioplastic , materials science , composite material , waste management , engineering
Abstract Biofibers such as soy hull, switchgrass, miscanthus, and their hybrids are used as reinforcements to engineer green composites in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate ‐co‐ valerate) and polylactide blends through melt mixing. The physico‐mechanical performance of the composites is evaluated by means of mechanical testing, DSC and SEM. The combination of agricultural residues as hybrids is shown to reduce supply chain concerns for injection‐molded green composites. The use of inexpensive biofibers and their hybrids proves an alternate way of getting cheap sustainable materials with better performance.