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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #194626
Title: SUGAR BEET PULP AND POLY (LACTIC ACID) GREEN COMPOSITES

Author
item Finkenstadt, Victoria
item Liu, Linshu
item Liu, Cheng Kung
item Coffin, David
item Willett, Julious
item Fishman, Marshall
item Hicks, Kevin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2006
Publication Date: 9/14/2006
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L., Liu, L.S., Liu, C., Coffin, D.R., Willett, J.L., Fishman, M., Hicks, K.B. 2006. SUGAR BEET PULP AND POLY (LACTIC ACID) GREEN COMPOSITES. Meeting Abstract. xx.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biodegradable composite materials of sugar beet pulp (SBP) and poly (lactic acid)(PLA) were compounded using a twin-screw extruder, molded by injection molding and evaluated for structural, mechanical, and moisture resistant properties, as well as biodegradability. Microscopic analysis revealed that the SBP filler was evenly distributed in the PLA matrix phase. At lower SBP content, the filler was surrounded by the PLA matrix. As the SBP fraction increased, filler particles aggregated in the matrix while PLA remained as a continuous phase. Due to the rigid nature of SBP, the PLA-SBP composites showed enhanced stiffness as the SBP fraction increased. However, as characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile strength testing, the PLA composites with higher SBP weight fraction were less fracture resistant and more moisture sensitive. Acoustic emission analysis further suggested the role of filler-matrix debonding during fracture at higher SBP contents. Thus, the improvement of filler-matrix adhesion appears to be a strategy to enhance the mechanical property of composites with a higher SBP/PLA ratio. Acceleration of the biodegradation of PLA-SBP composites was observed as the SBP fraction increased.