Publication: Effect of corn starch and epoxidized natural rubber on the mechanical, thermal and water absorption behaviour for poly(lactic acid)halloysite nanoclay nanocomposite
Loading...
Date
2012-06-01
Authors
Muhammad, Nurul Athirah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
PLA nanocomposite were prepared via melt mixing with halloysite nanoclay (2 wt%) and different amount of corn starch (5-15 wt%) by internal mixer followed by compression molding. The mechanical and morphological properties of PLA/HNC nanocomposites were characterized by tensile and impact test, also field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The optimum amount of corn starch which is 10 wt% is selected and used in Phase 2. In phase 2, the same procedures were repeated but at different amount of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) (5-20%). The optimum amount of ENR which is 15 wt% is selected and used for futher test. In Phase 3, thermal properties of PLA nanocomposites were characterized by thermo-gravitational analysis (TGA) and thermo-oxidative test at 80°C. After thermo-oxidative test, the composites undergo tensile test. Water absorption test of PLA nanocomposites were performed too in 7 days. Water uptakes were recorded during water absorption test. After 7 days, tensile test and morphology properties were performed on the tensile fracture surface. It found that the addition with corn starch and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) will influenced the tensile, thermal and water absorption behaviour. PLA/HNC/CS-10 and PLA/HNC/CS-10/ENR-15 contributes in the most water uptake during the 7 days of water absorption test.