ARS | Publication request: GREEN COMPOSITES USING POLY(LACTIC ACID) AND AGRICULTURAL CO-PRODUCTS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: May 15, 2006
Publication Date: June 26, 2006
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L., Liu, L.S., Liu, C., Cermak, S.C., Evangelista, R.L., Hojillaevangelist, M.P., Willett, J.L. 2006. Green composites using poly(lactic acid) and agricultural co-products [abstract]. Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference. p.64. n.190.

Technical Abstract: Poly (lactic acid) is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources and has similar mechanical properties to polypropylene (PPL). PLA is more expensive than petroleum-based plastics, and the use of low-cost fillers and extenders is desirable. Agricultural co-products (AcP) were collected after initial processing. Cuphea (C) and Lesquerella (L) are oil seed crops. Milkweed (M) is being investigated for industrial uses of its fiber. PLA was melted then AcP (0%, 8%, 15%, 22%, 30% and 45% w/w) was added producing a homogeneous resin which was injection molded. As AcP content increased, tensile strength for all PLA composites decreased as predicted by the Nicolais-Narkis model. PLA-C exhibited increased stiffness. In contrast, the modulus of PLA-M & PLA-L decreased slightly. Unexpectedly, PLA-M showed extensive stress-cracking under tensile stress and exhibited an elongation value 50% to 200% more than the PLA control.