EPOXY COUPLING AGENT FOR PLA OR P3HB-3HH-BASED COTTON FABRIC FILM-STACKED COMPOSITES

Bio-composites consisting of poly(lactic acid) or Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) matrix were film stacked with cotton twill fabric in multi layer configuration. The flexural properties of these bio-composites were comparable to the ones of particle boards or engineering woods with the advantage to be easily shaped including hollow sections to achieve lightweight structures. The addition of the additive with epoxy reactive sites resulted in the best mechanical properties in PLA but the best increases in the PHB matrix. Furthermore, DMT analyses have showed that the cotton fabric composites caused a consistent increase in the HDT-A in the PHB matrix. The J additive further increased HDT-A of the neat PHB from 70 to 123 °C. Finally, the impact test of PLA and PHB composites reached impact strengths comparable to composites used in automotive applications with a key role exert by the J additive. The J additive probably generated new chemical bonds in the composites between cotton and the polymer and/or between polymer chains. The studied bio-composites are recognized for use in applications such as building, furniture or automotive bringing additional sustainability, recycling and biodegradation properties not owned by common composites.