Study on the Pre-Treatment, Physical and Chemical Properties of Ramie Fibers Reinforced Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA) Biocomposite

ABSTRACT

The comparative advantage of using vegetable fibers as reinforcement (fillers) attracted manufacturing industries over conventional composites. Natural fibers are purely green features that can easily decompose in a normal way to water and CO₂ when encountered with moisture during their disposal. In this research, the effect of pre-treatment and properties of ramie fibers reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composite were studied. Before the composite preparation, ramie fibers were soaked in a solution of alkali (sodium hydroxide) and silane coupling agent to provide better compatibility between ramie fibers and PLA interface. Additionally, a design containing nine samples was conducted to study the effect of temperature, fiber volume ratio, molding pressure and time on composite fabrication. From the results, optimum processing parameters were identified based on the tensile, bending and impact strengths improvement from various tested samples. Furthermore, this study highlights the degradation process and properties of ramie fibers reinforced PLA composites by underground burial experimental procedures.

摘要

使用植物纤维作为增强材料的比较优势吸引了制造业超过传统的复合材料。天然纤维是纯绿色的特性，在处理过程中遇有湿气，可以很容易地以正常的方式分解为水和二氧化碳。研究了苎麻纤维增强聚乳酸（PLA）复合材料的预处理和性能。在复合制备前，将苎麻纤维浸泡在碱液（氢氧化钠）和硅烷偶联剂溶液中，使苎麻纤维与PLA界面具有较好的相容性。此外，设计了九个样品，研究了温度、纤维体积比、成型压力和时间对复合材料制备的影响。根据试验结果，确定了不同试样拉伸、弯曲和冲击强度的最佳工艺参数。此外，本研究还强调了苎麻纤维增强PLA复合材料的地下埋藏试验过程和性能。

KEYWORDS:

• Biocomposite
• degradation property
• mechanical strength
• microstructures
• polylactic acid
• ramie fibers

关键词:

• 生物复合材料
• 降解性能
• 机械强度
• 微观结构
• 聚乳酸
• 苎麻纤维