Structure and mechanical properties of jute—polylactic acid biodegradable composites

Abstract

In this study, biodegradable composites based on jute and polylactic acid (PLA) were prepared by a film-stacking process. The effect of jute fiber content, processing temperature, and alkali treatment on the structure and mechanical properties of jute—PLA composites were investigated. The interfacial structure between jute fibers and PLA was analysed by scanning electron microscope. The optimum tensile properties of jute—PLA composites were obtained at 15 wt% fiber content and a processing temperature of 210°C. Both the maximum flexural modulus and strength of composites were obtained at 220° C and 15 wt% fiber contents. X-ray diffraction profiles showed that the crystallinity of jute fibers was changed from cellulose I to cellulose II after alkali treatment. Meanwhile, the tensile modulus of single jute fiber and jute—PLA composites were increased by 29% and 76%, respectively. The modified equation of the rule of mixture was more suitable to predict tensile modulus of jute—PLA composites than the conventional Halpin—Tsai model and the relative error was less than 8%.