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Co‐ I njection Molded New Green Composites from Biodegradable Polyesters and Miscanthus Fibers
Author(s) -
Zhang Kunyu,
Nagarajan Vidhya,
Zarrinbakhsh Nima,
Mohanty Amar K.,
Misra Manjusri
Publication year - 2014
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.201300189
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , polybutylene succinate , composite number , mold , scanning electron microscope , polylactic acid , core (optical fiber) , izod impact strength test , polyester , molding (decorative) , polymer , ultimate tensile strength
A novel concept of developing green composites with improved performance using co‐injection molding technique has been established. Poly (butylene succinate) (PBS), poly (butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephtalate) (PBAT), and their blends were investigated as skin material. Composite core material was made from poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐ co ‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and miscanthus. Co‐injected samples with good surface finish were achieved at a skin/core volume ratio of 40/60 and mold temperature of 45 °C. Notched impact strength of 140 J/m, four times higher than that of neat core material and unnotched impact strength of almost 400 J/m with modulus of more than 1 GPa was achieved for the co‐injection molded green composites. Good adhesion at the skin/core interface was observed under scanning electron microscopy.