Examination of heat resistant tensile properties and molding conditions of green composites composed of kenaf fibers and PLA resin

Disposing of conventional fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) poses an environmentally challenging problem. Disposal of FRPs by combustion discharges carbon dioxide in the air because the resin of FRPs is made of fossil fuel. When they are disposed of in the ground, FRPs remain semi-permanently without decomposing. In response to these problems, green composites are now being permanently developed and are extensively studied as a material that produces a lower environmental burden. In this paper, green composites using kenaf fiber yarn bundles and PLA (poly( lactic acid)) are fabricated and their tensile properties are evaluated in the experiment. The tensile Young's modulus of all of the laminations is larger than that of PLA alone and the tensile strength of some laminations is larger than that of PLA alone. In particular, the value of UD composite of 0 degrees shows double the tensile strength of PLA alone. Furthermore, the molding conditions for fabricating with a hot press are investigated and the heat resistant tensile properties of green composites are also reported.