Biodegradable Composites and Laminated Paper, 1996 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

Composites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cellulosic fibrous materials were prepared by extrusion and compression molding. The composite reinforcements used were paper waste fibers, rayon nonwoven fabric, and wood flour. The mechanical properties and biodegradability of the composites were studied. The mechanical properties were retained for PLA filled with up to 32 wt.% of paper waste fiber. The tensile strength was improved for PLA filled with rayon nonwoven fabric as compared to pure PLA. The tensile strength of PLA filled with wood flour was retained up to 15 wt.% content of the filler. Paper coated with PLA and laminates based on PLA and paper showed an improved tensile strength at normal conditions and significantly improved wet tensile breaking strength in comparison with net paper. The mineralization rate of the PLA films and sheets in the soil aerobic test were found to be independent on their thickness and increase considerably with the addition of the cellulosic component.