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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199968
Title: THERMAL PROPERTIES OF POLYLACTIC ACID BASED BICOMPOSITES

Author
item Mohamed, Abdellatif
item Biresaw, Girma

Submitted to: Adhesion Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2007
Publication Date: 2/18/2007
Citation: Mohamed, A., Biresaw, G. 2006. Thermal properties of polylactic acid based bicomposites [abstract]. Adhesion Society. p. 21.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The degree of compatibility between polylactic acid (PLA) and different bio-fillers was examined using thermal methods. The biofillers were fibers extracted from cuphea and lesquerella seeds. Cuphea and lesquerella are non-commercial seed crops. Biocomposites with PLA:Fiber ratios of 85:15, 70:30 and 100:00 were blended by extrusion and then injection molded. Thermal properties of the extruded (EX) and the extruded-injection molded (EXIM) composites were examined using DSC and TGA. DSC was used to measure glass transition (Tg) and delta Cp properties. TGA was used to measure thermal decomposition profiles. The effect of fiber property, fiber composition, processing conditions, and ageing on the thermal properties of the biocomposites was analyzed. The data was used to evaluate the relative compatibility of the fibers with PLA. The results are compared with those predicted using interfacial methods.