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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203864
Title: THERMAL PROPERTIES OF POLY (LACTIC ACID) BASED BIO-COMPOSITES

Author
item Mohamed, Abdellatif
item Biresaw, Girma
item Finkenstadt, Victoria

Submitted to: Adhesion Society
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2007
Publication Date: 2/18/2007
Citation: Mohamed, A., Biresaw, G., Finkenstadt, V.L. 2007. Thermal properties of poly (lactic acid) based bio-composites. Adhesion Society. p. 495-497.

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 lasquerella are non-commercial seed crops. Bio-composites 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 used to examine the relative compatibility of the fibers with PLA. The results were compared with those predicted using interfacial methods.