Fabrication and tensile properties of bamboo micro-fibrils (BMF)/poly-lactic acid (PLA) green composite

In this research has been focused on the fabrication of green composites (GC) from emultion-type poly-lactic acid (PLA) biodegradable resin with bamboo micro-fibrils (BMF) reinforcement. BMF were extracted by combination methods: chemical solution and mechanical treatment. The chemical solution: alkalization of 5% (weight/volume) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for 72 hours and bleaching of 2,8% volume natrium hypoclorit (NaClO) for 12 hours. And for mechanical treatment: high speed-blender for up to 30 minute along with the alkalization process. The chemical structure of the resulting cellulose BMF was studied by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The alkalization and bleaching treatment were affected by the BMF cellulose content. Fabrication of green composites with BFC loading from 0%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of mass were prepared using hot-press molding at constant temperature of 170°C, pressure of 10 MPa and time molding of 10 minutes. Tensile strength and elastic modulus was investigated using computerized Universal Testing Mechines HT-2402 with crosshead speed of 5.0 mm/min. The measurement finding showed that the tensile strength and elastic modulus were affected by the BMF content. The results obtained emphasize the application of bamboo micro-fibrils composites (BMC), as a potential materials in biodegradable based or green composites (GC). (paper)