Manufacturing and determination of the mechanical and thermal properties of composites with natural fiber

Green composites are specific class of biocomposites, where a bio-based polymer matrix is reinforced by natural fibers. Among bio-based polymer matrices, a growing interest has been devoted in last years on PLA due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability and light weight. The development of PLA as matrices in composites requires finding proper fibers. The type of fiber used plays an important role in fiber/matrix adhesion and thereby affects the mechanical performance of the biocomposites. Natural fibers offer many advantages as good strength properties, low density, low cost, good thermal properties, biodegradability and availability. New trends in selection of natural fibers, that is, from waste rather than from valuable materials are described. The use of this class of natural fibers with biodegradable polymers can produce a positive effect both environmentally and economically. The objective of this project is to determine the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA based green composites with natural fibers. Experimental studies were performed to evaluate the effect of natural fiber types and fiber mass percentages into the PLA matrix. Experimental samples were prepared by the addition of different mass percentages of waste natural fibers (such as chicken feather) into the PLA matrix. The main mechanical (tensile, compressive and impact strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break) and thermal stability for two different types of green composites manufactured by enjection moulding were presented. In conclusion, the proposed studies will make it possible to determine the feasibility of using PLA based composites with chicken feather fibers, and to assess the effect of volume fraction, aspect ratio of natural fibers on the mechanical properties of green composites. Based on this premise, the proposed project will help us to promoting this development and improvement of processing techniques.