Manufacture of Highly Environmentally Friendly Composites with Posidonia Oceanica and Poly Lactic Acid Compatibilized by Reactive Extrusion with Peroxide

Abstract

Wood-plastic composites were manufactured with Posidonia oceanica (PO) waste and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by injection molding. To increase the interaction between PO/PLA, DCP was added during extrusion (pre-injection process), and different amounts of methyl trans-cinnamate were added to increase the flexibility of the composites. The results showed that the incorporation of PO fibers generated a stress concentration phenomenon that caused a decrease in the impact properties of the composites. Incorporating DCP improved the interaction between the fibers and the matrix and enhanced the plasticizing effect of methyl trans-cinnamate, as FESEM images shown.