Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most promising in the bio-derived polymer's family. But its use can be constrained by its poor mechanical properties, poor thermal stability and processing difficulties. The objective of this research is to investigate and improve mechanical and dynamic thermal properties of PLA by developing PLA composites reinforced with natural fibres (hemp). Composites were prepared by melt blending of PLA with hemp fibres. Their properties were investigated using mechanical and dynamic thermal analysis. The elastic modulus increased significantly – from 4.1 ± 0.74 to 9.32 ± 0.86 (GPA) – when the weight fraction of hemp increased from 0 to 30(wt %). The storage modulus obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis increased from 2.20 to 4.58 (GPA) for the same change in the volume fraction of hemp. FE simulation of tensile testing and DMA were carried out to investigate the effect of strain rate and temperature on the observed properties respectively. The model was developed in the commercially available code MSC Marc mentate. The model validated all experimental results.
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