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Biocomposites based on Alfa fibers and starch‐based biopolymer
Author(s) -
Belhassen R.,
Boufi S.,
Vilaseca F.,
López J. P.,
Méndez J. A.,
Franco E.,
Pèlach M. A.,
Mutjé P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1364
Subject(s) - materials science , biocomposite , biopolymer , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , dynamic mechanical analysis , cellulose , composite number , flexural modulus , flexural strength , starch , cellulose fiber , young's modulus , modulus , fiber , polymer , chemical engineering , biochemistry , chemistry , engineering
Biocomposite materials based on Alfa cellulose fibers (esparto grass plant) as reinforcing element and starch‐based biopolymer matrix were prepared and characterized in terms of mechanical performance, thermal properties, and water absorbance behavior. The fibers and the matrix were first mixed in the melted state under mechanical shearing using a plastograph and the obtained composites were molded by injection process. The tensile mechanical analysis showed a linear increase of the composite flexural and tensile modulus upon increasing the fiber content, together with a sharp decrease of the elongation at break. The fibers′ incorporation into the biopolymer matrix brings about an enhancement in the mechanical strength and the impact strength of the composite. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) investigation showed two relaxations occurring at about −30 and 35°C. The addition of Alfa fibers enhanced the storage modulus E ′ before and after T α , which is consistent with the reinforcing effect of Alfa cellulose fibers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.