Influence of Diatomaceous Earth Particle Size on Mechanical Properties of PLA/Diatomaceous Earth Composites

Dobrosielska, Marta; Dobrucka, Renata; Brząkalski, Dariusz; Frydrych, Miłosz; Kozera, Paulina; Wieczorek, Monika; Jałbrzykowski, Marek; Kurzydłowski, Krzysztof J.; Przekop, Robert E.

doi:10.3390/ma15103607

Cited by 13 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…This could indicate that it is important to eliminate the matrix effect on the mechanical strength of the polyamide in favor of the natural filler. In our previous work, the reinforcing effect of diatomite filler on polylactide [ 38 , 39 ] and epoxy resin [ 36 , 37 ] was also observed for different ways of obtaining composites. Due to the structure of diatoms, there can be an effect of penetration of biopolymer molecules into the filler particles; thus, strengthening the structure of the biocomposite.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This double peak corresponded to the melt-crystallization process of the γ phase to the α’ crystalline form of PA11. The secondary peak seemed to decrease when the diatomaceous earth content was increased in the biocomposite material [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. In addition, the peak of the glass transition temperature broadened considerably, and it is difficult to determine the Tg from the DSC curves during the second heating.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The original diatomaceous earth was fractionated in a similar way as in the previous works [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], according to Figure 4 . Amorphous diatomite weighing 15 kg was placed in barrel 1, which was filled to a volume of 140 L with demineralized water.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Diatomite is considered biofriendly, non-toxic, and used for multiple applications, including as an adsorbent and filtering medium in wastewater treatment and other purification procedures, cement production and as a polymer filler [ 35 ]. In our previous works, we tested diatomaceous earth as a filler in different polymer systems, including epoxy composites [ 36 , 37 ], injection-molded PLA [ 38 ] and PLA-based composite filaments for FDM 3D printing [ 39 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biocomposites Based on Polyamide 11/Diatoms with Different Sized Frustules

et al. 2022

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Amorphous diatomite containing approx. 80% silicon dioxide SiO2 was used as a filler for a thermoplastic polymer of polyamide 11 obtained from natural sources. The diatomite particles of different sizes were previously fractionated by sedimentation to obtain powders with varying particle size distribution, including powders with or without frustule particles, crushed, uncrushed or agglomerated. Biocomposites containing 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% filler were tested for their mechanical properties, including tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength. In addition, a particle size analysis (by Dynamic Light Scattering, DLS) was performed and the dispersion of the filler in the polymer matrix (Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM), thermal parameters (Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC, and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, DMA) were determined. Testing showed that biocomposites modified with diatomaceous earth have a higher mechanical strength than the reference system, especially with larger amounts of the filler (10 and 20%), e.g., the tensile strength of pure PA11 is about 46 MPa, while 20OB and 20OF 47.5 and 47 MPa, respectively, while an increase in max. flexural strength and flexural modulus is also observed compared to pure PA11 by a maximum of 63 and 54%, respectively Diatomaceous earth can be obtained in various ways—it is commercially available or it is possible to breed diatoms in laboratory conditions, while the use of commercially available diatomite, which contains diatoms of different sizes, eliminates the possibility of controlling mechanical parameters by filling biocomposites with a filler with the desired particle size distribution, and diatom breeding is not possible on an industrial scale. Our proposed biocomposite based on fractionated diatomaceous earth using a sedimentation process addresses the current need to produce biocomposite materials from natural sources, and moreover, the nature of the process, due to its simplicity, can be successfully used on an industrial scale.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biocomposites Based on Polyamide 11/Diatoms with Different Sized Frustules

et al. 2022

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“…Bottom sediments, just like other materials of natural origin, can be used successfully as composite fillers. Natural fillers include, among others, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose fibres, wood [ 5 ], and amorphous diatomaceous earth [ 6 , 7 ]. This not only improves a range of physicochemical properties but also increases the biodegradability of the composite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbonate Lake Sediments in the Plastics Processing-Preliminary Polylactide Composite Case Study: Mechanical and Structural Properties

et al. 2022

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In this study, the influence of carbonate lake sediments (Polylactide/Carbonate Lake Sediments–PLA/CLS) on the mechanical and structural properties of polylactide matrix composites was investigated. Two fractions of sediments originating from 3–8 and 8–12 m were analysed for differences in particle size by distribution (Dynamic Light Scattering–DLS), phase composition (X-ray Diffraction–XRD), the presence of surface functional groups (Fourier Transform-Infrared–FT-IR), and thermal stability (Thermogravimetric Analysis–TGA). Microscopic observations of the composite fractures were also performed. The effect of the precipitate fraction on the mechanical properties of the composites before and after conditioning in the weathering chamber was verified through peel strength, flexural strength, and impact strength tests. A melt flow rate study was performed to evaluate the effect of sediment on the processing properties of the PLA/CLS composite. Hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties were also investigated, and fracture analysis was performed by optical and electron microscopy. The addition of carbon lake sediments to PLA allows for the obtention of composites resistant to environmental factors such as elevated temperature or humidity. Moreover, PLA/CLS composites show a higher flow rate and higher surface hydrophobicity in comparison with unmodified PLA.

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