The effect of various compatibilizers on properties of mengkuang leaf fibre filled poly(lactic acid) composite
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Nur Fatin Nabila Ibrahim
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Abstract
Poly (lactic acid)/mengkuang leaves fibres (PLA/MLF) polymer composites were
prepared by melt compounding technique. Ethylene methyl acrylate-glycidyl
methacrylate (EMA-GMA) and styrene butadiene butylene styrene grafted maleic
anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) were used as compatibilizers in PLA/MLF composites to
enhance the properties of the composites. In the first stage, the study focused on the
contribution of different compositions (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt. %) of MLF in PLA. The
evaluation was performed through tensile test, thermal analysis by differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), morphological analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and
chemical interaction study by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) testing. The percentage
elongation, modulus, and tensile strength of PLA/MLF composites decreased
significantly in comparison with pure PLA. Degree of crystallinity of PLA/MLF composite
slightly reduced with the incorporation of MLF. Based on the DSC thermogram, PLA/MLF
composites show the presence of bimodal melting peaks due to melt-recrystallization
mechanism that might happen during heating. SEM observation indicated poor
interaction between components and poor dispersion of the filler. In the second stage,
EMA-GMA was introduced to improve the properties of PLA/MLF composites. However,
similar trend of reduction in mechanical strength was observed, suggesting that EMA GMA could not act as a good compatibilizer in PLA/MLF composites. Degree of
crystallinity of PLA/MLF reduced in the presence of EMA-GMA. Fracture surface also
observed to have agglomeration. In the third stage, SEBS-g-MA was introduced as a
compatibilizer. The presence of SEBS-g-MA also could not improve tensile properties of
the composite. However, better properties were observed in the system with EMA-GMA
compared with SEBS-g-MA.