Effect of Superheated Steam Treatment on the Mechanical Properties and Dimensional Stability of PALF/PLA Biocomposite

Abstract

The effectiveness of superheated steam (SHS) as an alternative, eco-friendly treatment method to modify the surface of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) for biocomposite applications was investigated. The aim of this treatment was to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the polymer. The treatment was carried out in an SHS oven for different temperatures (190–230 °C) and times (30–120 min). Biocomposites fabricated from SHS-treated PALFs and polylactic acid (PLA) at a weight ratio of 30:70 were prepared via melt-blending techniques. The mechanical properties, dimensional stability, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the biocomposites were evaluated. Results showed that treatment at temperature of 220 °C for 60 min gave the optimum tensile properties compared to other treatment temperatures. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties as well as the dimensional stability of the biocomposites were enhanced by the presence of SHS-treated PALF. The SEM analysis showed improvement in the interfacial adhesion between PLA and SHS-treated PALF. XRD analysis showed an increase in the crystallinity with the addition of SHS-PALF. The results suggest that SHS can be used as an environmentally friendly treatment method for the modification of PALF in biocomposite production.

The Effect of MWCNTs Filler on the Absorbing Properties of OPEFB/PLA Composites Using Microstrip Line at Microwave Frequency

“…As presented in Figure 4 , the XRD patterns of pure PLA showed a wide diffraction peak of approximately 2θ ≈ 18°. The PLA showed no characteristic peak and indicated that PLA has an amorphous structure [ 20 ]. The OPEFB also exhibits peaks at 2θ ≈ 16° and 2θ ≈ 24° indicating amorphous and crystalline regions [ 21 ], Cellulosic natural fibers contain both crystalline (ordered) and amorphous (disordered).…”

Manufacturing and compatibilization of binary blends of superheated steam treated jute and poly (lactic acid) biocomposites by melt-blending technique

“…Although synthetic fibers provide high mechanical performance, they are unwelcomed due to environmental issues. Natural fibers supplant synthetic fibers as natural fibers offer the excellent properties including light weight, renewable resource, reasonable strength, superabundant, low density, non-irritating to skin and eye, inexpensive, bio-degradable, stiffness, non-toxic and eco-friendly [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The demand for light-weight natural fiber composites is increasing rapidly, especially in the automotive industry, which attributes weight reduction and therefore low fuel consumption [ 7 ].…”

“…In this work, we used PLA as a matrix and jute as a reinforcement to produce a complete biodegradable biocomposite. PLA is fermented from agricultural raw materials such as sugar, corn, beet, and potato in lactic acid [ 8 , 13 , 16 , 18 , 19 ] and has excellent mechanical properties [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], better biocompatibility [ 5 , 7 , 23 ], easily processable [ 7 , 23 ], transparency [ 20 ], and biodegradability [ 5 , 23 ]. Despite the properties, some modifications to PLA are required due to its brittleness, poor heat resistance, and low toughness properties [ 5 , 9 , 17 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…This relationship makes poor interface of fibers and more moisture absorbency that degrades mechanical properties [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. To develop the quality of composites, natural fibers undergo some chemical modifications including alkali treatment [ 2 , 7 , 22 , 25 , 26 ], bleaching [ 5 , 22 , 25 , 27 ], silane treatment [ 5 , 26 , 28 ] and grafting [ 2 , 5 , 25 ]. These treatments strengthen fiber/matrix compatibility and hydrophobicity of fibers by lessening moisture uptake and accordingly ameliorate mechanical characteristics [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Complex Permittivity and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of OPEFB Fiber-Polylactic Acid Filled with Reduced Graphene Oxide

“…The emergence of natural fiber composites has fascinated research attention in recent years because, in terms of weight reduction, fibers can replace conventional reinforcing materials [ 15 ]. PLA reinforced with pineapple leaf [ 16 ], kenaf [ 17 ], oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFB) [ 18 ], and other natural fibers have been studied.…”