• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.121-130
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• 2012

In the present study, bamboo/PLA biocomposites through injection molding process using extruded bamboo/PLA pellets with the fiber contents of 30, 40, and 50 wt% according to the presence and absence of bamboo fiber grinding, respectively, were fabricated and their mechanical, thermal, impact, and water absorption properties were explored. Compared to neat PLA, the flexural modulus, tensile modulus, storage modulus and impact strength of bamboo/PLA biocomposites were considerably increased. In particular, the moduli were further increased by introducing the ground bamboo fibers. In addition, use of the ground bamboo fibers was effective to enhance the long-term water resistance of the biocomposites. The heat treatment temperature of neat PLA was improved by 16% by incorporating the bamboo fibers and the fiber grinding effect was slight. The incorporation of the ground bamboo fibers to PLA did not influence the tensile strength and impact toughness of bamboo/PLA biocomposites.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2016

In this work, pellets consisting of cellulose-based natural fiber bamboo and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was prepared by extrusion process and then bamboo fiber/PLA biocomposites with various fiber contents were produced by injection molding process. The water treatment effect of bamboo fibers on the flexural, tensile, and impact properties and heat deflection temperature of the biocomposites were investigated. The thermal stability of bamboo and the flexural properties, tensile modulus, and impact strength depended on the presence and absence of water treatment as well as on the fiber content, whereas the heat deflection temperature are influenced mainly by water treatment. The increase of the mechanical and impact properties of biocomposites is ascribed to the improvement of the interfacial adhesion between the bamboo fibers and the PLA matrix by the water treatment. The result suggests that the pre-treatment of natural fibers by using water, which is environment-friendly and labor-friendly, may contribute to enhancing the performance of biocomposites.