Affiliation:
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
2. Busitema University
3. Savitribai Phule Pune University
Abstract
In recent years the utilization of natural fibers as reinforcing agents in thermoplastic composites has captured major attention. This research studied the effect of reaction time on the morphology, particle size, and melting point of microcrystalline cellulose and the reinforcement ability via mechanical characterization of the modified MCC in a blend of predominantly PLA matrix. In order to accomplish this latter goal, the acetylated microcrystals were blended with polylactic acid (PLA) polymer at 5 wt% concentration. Furthermore, a new method to control the degree of substitution and particle shape, size and distribution of microcrystalline cellulose by controlling the acetylation time is presented. A series of samples were prepared by the acetylation of microcrystalline cellulose to varying levels of acetate substitution. Composites of the acetate substituted microcrystalline cellulose with polylactic acid (PLA) showed a substantial increase in the modulus of rigidity at an optimum concentration and level of acetate substitution. Spectroscopic, morphological together with thermal and mechanical property data are presented and discussed.
Publisher
Trans Tech Publications, Ltd.
Subject
Mechanical Engineering,Mechanics of Materials,General Materials Science
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献