CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYLACTIDE (PLA) COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH BIOWASTE

The suitability of watermelon (WM) and Albizia lebbeck benth (ALB) seed particles as reinforcement for polylactide (PLA) were investigated. The composites were produced using 150μm particle size reinforcement additions from 5 to 15wt.%. The microstructure, tensile properties and crystallinity were evaluated. The results showed 5wt.% filler gave a better tensile strength of 1.70 MPa and 1.86 MPa for watermelon, and ALB reinforced composites respectively, over unreinforced PLA (1.11MPa). This is attributed to strong interfacial bond between polymer and the bio-waste fillers, as observed from the SEM micrographs. The crystallite size of neat PLA, 5wt.%WM and 5wt.% ALB are 4.9, 0.2, and 1.9 Å respectively. The sorption ability of polymer is inversely proportional to the degree of crystallinity. Thus, the smaller the crystal size, the better the crystalline index, with improved hydrophilicity and tensile strength properties. These bio-composites can be used in the abdominal part of human skin (1-24 MPa).