Biodegradability and mechanical properties of agro‐flour–filled polybutylene succinate biocomposites

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The objective of this study was the production of rice husk flour (RHF) and wood flour (WF) filled polybutylene succinate (PBS) biocomposites as alternatives to cellulosic material filled conventional plastic (polyolefins) composites. PBS is one of the biodegradable polymers, made from the condensation reaction of 1,4-butanediol and succinic acid that can be naturally degraded in the natural environment. We compared the mechanical properties between conventional plastics and agro-flour-filled PBS biocomposites. We evaluated the biodegradability and mechanical properties of agro-flour-filled PBS biocomposites according to the content and filler particle size of agro-flour. As the agro-flour loading was increased, the tensile and impact strength of the biocomposites decreased. As the filler particle size decreased, the tensile strength of the biocomposites increased but the impact strength decreased. The addition of agro-flour to PBS produced a more rapid decrease in the tensile strength, notched Izod impact strength, and percentage weight loss of the biocomposites during the natural soil burial test. These results support the application of biocomposites as environmentally friendly materials.

Soil Burial of Polylactic Acid/Paddy Straw Powder Biocomposite

“…Figures 1 and 2 show the data obtained from the meteorology station, and data from each month was averaged, compiled, and utilized. The test was carried out based on a modified method from Kim et al (2005). Samples were prepared, buried, and removed monthly for 6 months.…”

Influence of Fiber Content on Properties of Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber/Poly(butylene succinate) Biocomposites

“…The biodegradability of PBS and its biocomposites was studied using the natural soil burial test as described by Kim et al (2005b). The specimens were cut into pieces measuring 10 mm by 10 mm by 1 mm and used for testing.…”

“…It is well known that the natural soil degradation test is a slow process. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the soil degradation test could reflect real-life conditions better than any other tests (Kim et al 2005b). In this work, the biodegradability of PBS and its biocomposites was studied by measuring their weight loss in a natural soil degradation test lasting five months, and their results are presented in Fig.…”

“…12b), indicating that the surface of PBS was partially consumed by the microorganisms in the soil environment (Kim et al 2005b). Figure 12c shows the surface of OPMF/PBS biocomposite at 70 wt% fiber content before the degradation test.…”

Novel all-cellulose ecocomposites prepared in ionic liquids

“…In previous studies, RHs have been incorporated into degradable polymers (e.g. polycaprolactone (PCL) (Zhao et al 2008), polybutylene succinate (PBS) (Kim et al 2005)) for the fabrication of biodegradable ecocomposites. The introduction of the RH can provide stiffening effect for the polymer matrix, as well as accelerating the degradation of the ecocomposite.…”