ARS | Publication request: EVALUATION OF SUGAR BEET PULP AND POLY(LACTIC ACID) BIODEGRADABLE COMPOSITES

Submitted to: UJNR Food & Agricultural Panel Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 20, 2004
Publication Date: December 12, 2004
Citation: Liu, L.S., Onwulata, C.I., Fishman, M.L., Savary, B.J., Hicks, K.B. Evaluation of sugar beet pulp and poly(lactic acid) biodegradable composites. UJNR Food & Agricultural Panel Proceedings. 2004. p.80-90.

Technical Abstract: Sugar beet pulp reinforced poly(lactic acid) thermoplastics were prepared by a compression-heating method. With low sugar beet pulp content, the composites were able to retain or even enhance the tensile properties of original poly(lactic acid), while having a lower density and substantially lower cost. Tensile properties also depend on the initial water content of sugar beet pulp and the temperature at which composites were processed. The improved water resistance (in comparison with pure sugar beet pulp) was attributed to pulp-matrix interactions and to the higher hydrophobic character of the poly(lactic acid). The composites showed suitable properties for the use as lightweight construction materials.