Accelerated thermal ageing behaviour of bagasse fibers reinforced Poly (Lactic Acid) based biocomposites.

Abstract Ageing behavior is one of the crucial factor for selection of material by designers and engineers, mainly for structural applications. Investigation of the ageing effect on biocomposites would supplement current knowledge and may help in encouraging their uses in real life applications. The current experimental investigation aims to determine the variation in various properties of Bagasse fibers reinforced Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) biocomposites during accelerated thermal ageing. Specimens of biocomposite were fabricated and exposed to temperature cycles of −20 °C and 65 °C (12 h each) for 12 weeks and characterized after every 4 weeks of exposure. Tensile and flexural properties exhibited steady improvement on exposure up to 8 weeks, followed by a reduction after ageing for 12 weeks. It can be concluded from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) that significant change in crystalline and glass transition behavior happens during the exposure period. Highlights • Bagasse fiber reinforced Poly (Lactic Acid) based biocomposites has been developed using Extrusion – Injection process. • The specimens have been subjected to two extremes of temperature in a cycle for a period of 12 weeks. • The effect on mechanical properties, density and surface roughness has been studied after every 4 weeks of exposure duration. • X ray diffraction and dynamic mechanical analysis have been performed to analyze the change in crystalline behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]