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Effect of Content on Mechanical Properties for Cellulose Nano Fiber / Poly (lactic acid) Composites
Summary
This study examined how the amount of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) affects the mechanical properties of CNF/polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites, developed as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Results inform the design of plant-derived composite materials with reduced environmental impact.
Plastic materials have some problems such as the exhaustion of petroleum resources and/or the microplastic pollution in the natural environment. In order to alleviate these problems, plant-derived biomass resources are attracting attention, and composites of cellulose nano fibers (CNF) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) was investigated. However, difficult process such as adding additives is required to combine while maintaining properties of CNF. In this study, effect of CNF content on mechanical properties of CNF/PLA composites was investigated as a basic study. CNF and PLA were kneaded by a single-screw kneading extruder, and CNF/PLA plate was molded from this CNF/PLA compound. Mechanical property of CNF/PLA was investigated by tensile test, and fracture surface was observed by scanning electron microscope. As a result, tensile strength, fracture strain, and elastic modulus were decreased with CNF content. This might be due to thermal degradation of CNF during kneading and molding. And, voids in CNF/PLA plate increased with CNF content. Therefore, CNF was dried and then kneaded to PLA. However, voids in CNF/PLA plate were not decreased.