Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Short Coir Fibre Reinforced Poly(Butylene Succinate) Biodegradable Composites

Abstract

The poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) biodegradable composites reinforced with short coir fibres were fabricated by compression molding method. Effect of different fibre contents varying from 10 to 50 wt% on the mechanical and thermal properties of coir/PBS composites have been studied in terms of tensile and flexural properties, thermal stability, thermal expansion, dynamic mechanical properties, and microscopic observations. Tensile and flexural moduli of the composites were improved with the increase of fibre content up to 50 wt%. The results of thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of coir/PBS biodegradable composites is remarkably to be intermediate between the PBS resin and coir fibre depending on the fibre content. The thermomechanical stability of PBS resin is significantly improved by the addition of reinforcing coir fibres into the composite matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis results also confirmed that the storage modulus of the composites was increased with increase in the loading of coir fibre, showing the stress transfers from the matrix to the fibre. The greatest value of storage modulus and lowest coefficient of thermal expansion obtained at 50 wt% fibre content in the present study. The fracture surface morphology of the composite specimens observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed the weak bonding between untreated coir fibre and PBS matrix.

Mechanical and thermal properties and water absorption of jute fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) biodegradable composites

“…Below about 400°C, the thermal degradation of the composites increases with increasing the fiber content, but it decreases above 400°C. As a result, at low temperature region the thermal stability of the composites decreases with increasing the jute fiber content similar to the results reported in [30] for coir/PBS biodegradable composites. The percentage weight loss of jute/ PBS composites decreases with increasing the fiber content at 500°C ( Table 3).…”

“…About 5% weight loss of UT jute was observed in first stage because of absorbed moisture. The initial weight loss around 60°C can be due to the evaporation of water in the jute fiber; therefore, it is not significant weight loss in the range of 100-250°C approximately Advanced Composite Materials 253 similar with the decomposition behavior of other natural fibers, such as kenaf [29], coir [30], silk [31], and wood [32]. The second transition occurs from 250 to 370°C, jute fiber undergoes thermal degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose substances.…”

Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber as New Lignocellulosic Material for Fabrication of Polymer/Fiber Biocomposites

“…Utilization of natural fibers in composite preparation offer several advantages compared to those of synthetic fibers which include low density, low cost, renewability, and biodegradability [4,5]. Natural fibers like kenaf [3,6], jute [2,5], coir [7], silk [8], bamboo [9], sisal [10], and oil palm empty fruit bunch [11][12][13] have been extensively studied for fabrication of polymer/fiber composites. Rozman et al [11] reported that incorporation of the OPEFBF into polypropylene matrix resulted in an improved tensile modulus but reduced in tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength with increasing fiber content.…”

Study of 4,4‘-Methylene Diisocyanate Phenyl Ester-Modified Cassava Residues/Polybutylene Succinate Biodegradable Composites: Preparation and Performance Research

“…Meanwhile, polybutylene succinate (PBS) is a new, green, and eco-friendly material that has good mechanical properties, good heat and chemical resistance, and complete biodegradability. PBS can also be completely burned without producing any toxic gas [9][10][11].…”

“…In addition, it improves the performance of biodegradable composites, aids in their development, and helps lower the costs of the composites, considering that 1 t of cassava residue costs 900 yuan (approximately $ 129.71). The composite materials could be applied in packaging, construction (for example, wood flooring) and other fields [11], thus offering broad and significant application prospects. Meanwhile, polybutylene succinate (PBS) is a new, green, and eco-friendly material that has good mechanical properties, good heat and chemical resistance, and complete biodegradability.…”