PLA Composites

HA-Autogenous Bone Composite HA-PLA Composite Bloactive Glasses Periodontal Pocket Obliteration HA... 

Oksman K, SkrifvarsM SJ-F (2003) Natural fibres as reinforcement in polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Compos Sci Technol 63 1317-1324... 

Consequently, it appears that the L/D ratio of PLA influences the gas permeability but no conclusion can be reached regarding the water vapour transport in this pol)uner. Moreover, generally speaking, the crystallization of the PLA matrix makes it possible to decrease the gas permeability and the organic compound sorption in PLA. However, no agreement has been formed regarding the influence of crystallinity degree on water vapour transport in PLA due to the variety of PLA composition (L-lactic acid content) and measurement systems. 

Liao, S.S. et al.. Hierarchically biomimetic bone scaffold materials nano-HA/collagen/PLA composite. /. Biomed. Mater. Res., 2004,69B 158-65. 

Gauge length = 1 cm, elongation rate = 100 mm min Collagen-poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites, 50% collagen fiber and 50% PLA matrix (w/w)... 

Unstretched fiber, cross-linked, d = 94 gm 10% stretched fiber, cross-linked, d = 95.6 gm 30% stretched fiber, cross-linked, d = 86.1 gm 50% stretched fiber, cross-linked, d = 80.3 gm Gauge length = 1 cm, elongation rate = 100 mm min Collagen-poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites,... 

Table 23.1 Mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced PLA composites [47]...

Aydin et al. reported the influence of alkali treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of eco-composites made by short flax fiber reinforced PLA Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the packed structure of the fibrils was deformed by the removal non-cellulosic materials. The mechanical tests indicated that the modulus of the untreated flax fiber/PLA composites was higher than that of PLA on the other hand, the modulus of alkali treated flax/PLA was lower than that of PLA. Thermal properties of the PLA in the treated flax fiber reinforced composites were also affected. Tg values of treated flax fiber reinforced composites were lowered by nearly 10°C for 10% NaOH treatment and 15°C for 30% NaOH treatment. A bimodal melting behavior was observed for treated fiber composites different than both of neat PLA and untreated fiber composites [60]. 

Improved fiber matrbc adhesion and thereby improved mechanical properties can be accomplished by engineering a superior processing condition in preparing the bio-composites, by altering the polymer architecture of the matrix or by the surface treatment on the fiber [47]. Table 23.1 showed mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced PLA composites. 

Also, the brittleness of PLA may also limit its applications where toughness and impact resistance are critical. However, with the help of technology and providing safe PLA composites, many of its weakness... 

Yu, T., Li, Y., and Ren, J. [2009). Preparation and properties of short natural fiber reinforced poly[lactic acid)[PLA) composites. Trgn Non ferrous Metals Soc. China. 19, S651-S655. 

Tawakkal, 1. S. M. A., Talib, R. A., Abdan, K., and Ling, C. N. (2012). Mechanical and physical properties of kenaf-derived cellulose (KDC)-filled polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Bioresmirces. 1,1643-1655. 

Fig. 6 MG63 osteoblast-like cells on a G5/PLA composite surface showing round shapes...

Abstract Biopolymers are expected to be an alternative for conventional plastics due to the limited resources and soaring petroleum price which will restrict the use of petroleum based plastics in the near future. PLA has attracted the attention of polymer scientist recently as a potential biopolymer to substitute the conventional petroleum based plastics. The chapter aims to highlight on the recent developments in preparation and characterization of PLA blends (biodegradable and non-biodegradable blends), PLA composites (natural fiber and mineral fillers) and PLA nanocomposites (PLA/montmorillonite, PLA/carbon nanotubes and PLA/cellulose nano whiskers). 

As an extension to the considerable amount of research undertaken on processing and properties of natural filler composites, in this last decade, a number of researchers have explored the concept of namral filler-reinforced PLA composites. An outstanding one is the project FAlR-CT-98-3919 (New ftmctional biopolymer-natural fiber composites from agriculture resources) by European Union, in which one of the key objectives was to manufacture demonstration parts on a pre-competitive level with the automotive industry as the main potential market. Within this project, Lanzillotta et al. [21] prepared biocomposites with flax fibers and PLA as the biopolymer matrix. The research focused on the idea of converting biocomposites into products for real automotive applications. 

Graupner, N., Herrmami, A.S., Mussig, J. Natural and man-made cellulose fibre-reinforced polyflactic acid) (PLA) composites An overview about mechanical characteristics and application areas. Compos. A 40, 810-821 (2009)... 

Graupner, N. (2008) Application of lignin as natural adhesion promoter in cotton fibre-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites. Journal of Materials Science, 43, 5222-5229. 

---