Mechanical and drilling characterization of biodegradable PLA particulate green composites

ABSTRACT

Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic-based biodegradable polymer. To improve further the properties of PLA biopolymer, high-performance PLA-based composites are upcoming. In this study, the hot compression molding technique was used to synthesize the PLA, PLA+ 5 volume % of sawdust, rice husk, and bagasse particles reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMCs). The distribution of these reinforcements in the PLA matrix was recognized using SEM images. From the mechanical characterization studies, PLA with bagasse showed superior performances compared with other composites. To utilize these processed composites in different applications, specifically in the assembly of components, drilling experiments were performed on the processed PMCs. Drilling experiments were conducted as per the L16 array using four factors, namely, spindle speed, feed, and drill bit diameter, on four PMCs with four levels. Delamination factor (Fd) and average surface roughness (Ra) values were measured as the responses. Drilling experimental results showed that the Fd varied from 1.01 to 1.16 and Ra from 0.249 to 3.361 µm. The study showed that spindle and feed were major influencing factors affecting both Fd and Ra. The optimum drilling parameter combination was found, and drilled surfaces were examined using SEM images to understand the failure mechanisms.

KEYWORDS:

• Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) composites
• mechanical characterization
• soil burial test
• drilling study

Nomenclature

PLA Poly lactic acid

PMCs Polymer matrix composites

TPU Thermoplastic polyurethane

WF Wood flour

GFRP Glass fiber reinforced polymer

PTFE Poly tetra fluoro ethylene

PI Polyimide

PEEK Poly ether ether ketone

ASTM American society for testing and materials

SEM Scanning electron microscope

Ra Average Surface roughness

Fd Delamination factor

D Actual hole diameter

Dmax Damaged zone’s maximum diameter

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).