Analysis of Physico-Mechanical Properties of Composites Based on Polylactide and Thermally Modified Wood Fibers

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers based on the renewable resources are a good alternative to raw petrochemical-based materials as they are environmentally safe and rapidly degradable in natural conditions, have no discharge of harmful substances to the environment. However, the reason hampering the widespread use of biodegradable polymers in the production of materials is their high cost. In this regard the technology of obtaining of wood-filled biodegradable composites based on the binder biodegradable polymer polylactide was considered. The thermally modified wood fibers are offered to use as the filler. In the course of the research the samples of wood-plastic composites, which were subsequently tested for strength and water absorption were obtained. It is established that with the increase of temperature of processing of a wood filler there is an increase in the strength characteristics of the resulting composite, the sorption performance of the composite is, on the contrary, reduced. Hence, the proposed composite material may be applied as a solid packaging material.