Journal
POLYMERS
Volume 13, Issue 19, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/polym13193260
Keywords
polycaprolactone; pine cone powder; graphite; dimensional stability; biodegradability; fracture energy; SEM
Categories
Funding
- Research Management Centre, Univesiti Putra Malaysia
Ask authors/readers for more resources
In this study, biodegradable composites were fabricated with PCL matrix reinforced with pine cone powder and graphite powder, and tested for dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy. The results showed that composites with 15wt% pine cone powder exhibited higher dimensional stability, while the 30% pine cone powder composites showed increased fracture energy for crack initiation.
In this investigation, biodegradable composites were fabricated with polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix reinforced with pine cone powder (15%, 30%, and 45% by weight) and compatibilized with graphite powder (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight) in polycaprolactone matrix by compression molding technique. The samples were prepared as per ASTM standard and tested for dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy with scanning electron micrographs. Water-absorption and thickness-swelling were performed to examine the dimensional stability and tests were performed at 23 degrees C and 50% humidity. Results revealed that the composites with 15 wt % of pine cone powder (PCP) have shown higher dimensional stability as compared to other composites. Bio-composites containing 15-45 wt % of PCP with low graphite content have shown higher disintegration rate than neat PCL. Fracture energy for crack initiation in bio-composites was increased by 68% with 30% PCP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composites have shown evenly-distributed PCP particles throughout PCL-matrix at significantly high-degrees or quantities of reinforcing.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available