Potential Use of Paddy Straw as Filler in Poly Lactic Acid/Paddy Straw Powder Biocomposite: Thermal and Thermal Properties

Paddy Straw Powder (PSP) show potential as a new reinforcement based-natural fibre. A Haake internal mixer was used to incorporated paddy straw powder (PSP) into polylactic acid (PLA). Polylactic acid (PLA)/paddy straw powder biocomposite was prepared using constant rotor speed (60 rpm) for 14 minutes at 180 degrees C. The effects of paddy straw powder content (5-20 wt %) on mechanical and thermal properties of the biocomposites were investigated. The tensile strength of the biocomposites was above 30 MPa up to 15 wt.% of PSP whereas the elongation at break was ranged between 2-3 % with the incorporation of PSP up to 15 wt.%. Modulus elasticity was increased by increasing the paddy straw powder content. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results have demonstrated a minor effect of the rice straw on thermal behavior of PLA resin Thermogravimetry, analysis (TGA) demonstrated that thermal stability of PLA/PSP biocomposites is reduced by the incorporation of PSP. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.