Tensile and thermal degradation properties of poly (lactic acid)/Typha Latifolia bio-composites

Typha Latifolia fiber (TLF) reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were processed using a two roll mill machine. The effects of tensile strength and thermal degradation on the composites were compared between treated and untreated fiber at different fiber loading. Treated fiber composites with 10wt.% fiber shows better tensile strength and thermal properties compared to 20, 30 and 40wt.% of fiber loading. Experimental results shows the presence of natural fiber in the bio-composite has increases the glass transition temperature (Tg). For the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the experiments indicated that the addition of TLF enhanced the thermal stability of the bio-composites as compared to pure PLA.