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Studies on Manufacturing, Mechanical Properties and Structure of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-based Green Composites Modified by Coconut Fibers

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Abstract

Proper design and manufacturing of biodegradable composites containing natural fibers is highly demanded to improve its functional properties and reduce effects of the mechanical-thermal degradation at the same time. Therefore investigation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) modified with coconut fiber (CF) was performed to analyze changes in selected properties of the modified polymer, occurring upon various amounts of CF and different conditions of processing of blends composed of PBAT and CF. Changes in basic parameters of the extrusion process occurring upon two different plasticizing systems, as well as in mass flow rate, mechanical properties, and structure of PBAT/CF composites were examined. It was found that the design of a plasticizing system essentially influenced energy consumption and stability of the processing procedure as well as properties of manufactured materials. Increase in the weight fraction of CF introduced into the polymer matrix caused increase in rigidity and hardness of the composite and reduction in its strength and ability to deform. No effect of the processing conditions on adhesion at the phase boundary was found. All the prepared composites showed strong adhesion between components. Moreover, based on MFR results it was found occurrence of the mechanical-thermal degradation of both phases, especially the dispersed phase.

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Acknowledgements

The project has been financed by the own and statutory funds (project no. 110025). The authors of this work would like to express their special thanks to Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznan (Poland) for preparing of coconut fibers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes, M.Sklodowska-Curie 55, 87100, Toruń, Poland

    Rafał Malinowski, Daniel Kaczor, Daria Kosmalska & Bogusław Królikowski

  2. Department of Industrial Commodity Science and Chemistry, Gdynia Maritime University, Morska 81-87, 81225, Gdynia, Poland

    Katarzyna Krasowska

  3. Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M.Curie-Sklodowska 34, 41819, Zabrze, Poland

    Wanda Sikorska

  4. Institute of Materials Engineering, Kazimierz Wielki University, Chodkiewicza 30, 85064, Bydgoszcz, Poland

    Krzysztof Moraczewski

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  1. Rafał Malinowski
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  2. Katarzyna Krasowska
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Correspondence to Rafał Malinowski.

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Malinowski, R., Krasowska, K., Sikorska, W. et al. Studies on Manufacturing, Mechanical Properties and Structure of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-based Green Composites Modified by Coconut Fibers. Int. J. of Precis. Eng. and Manuf.-Green Tech. 7, 1095–1105 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40684-019-00171-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40684-019-00171-9

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