Effect of short jute fibers on the hydrolytic degradation behavior of poly(lactic acid)

This paper investigates the effect of short jute fibers on the hydrolysis of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) in deionized water at 50 and 60 degrees C. The water absorption, thermal and mechanical properties (tensile and flexural), morphological structure, as well as molecular weight of jute/PLA composites and PLA were evaluated before and after aging. The results showed that the jute/PLA composites had higher water absorption but approximately equal mechanical properties compared with PLA. This indicates that it is a feasible way to reinforce PLA by adding short jute fibers. Both PLA and jute/PLA composites undergo hydrolysis after aging. Further analysis revealed that as the vibration and mobility of PLA molecular chains were hindered by addition of jute fibers, jute/PLA composites had a slower decline in mechanical properties than PLA, and thus showed a slower hydrolysis. Moreover, the addition of jute fibers resulted in mechanical interlocking, which in turn increased the load carrying capability of jute/PLA composites. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.