%0 Journal Article
%T Development of <i>Morus</i> <i>alba</i> Reinforced Poly-Lactic Acid with Elevated Mechanical and Thermal Properties
%A Girish Kumar Reddy Madda
%A Jens Schuster
%A Yousuf Pasha Shaik
%J Materials Sciences and Applications
%P 186-200
%@ 2153-1188
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/msa.2024.157013
%X This research investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of <i>Morus</i><i> alba</i> combined with polylactic acid in comparison with other natural fibers. The study uses three different fiber and PLA compositions - 20%, 30%, and 40% respectively - to produce composite materials. In addition, another composite with the same fiber volume is treated with a 4% NaOH solution to improve mechanical properties. The composites are processed by twin-screw extrusion, granulation, and injection molding. Tensile strength measurements of raw fibers and NaOH-treated fibers were carried out using a single-fiber tensile test with a gauge length of 40 mm. It was observed that the NaOH surface treatment increases the resistance against tensile loading and exhibited improved properties for raw fiber strands. The diameter of the fibers was measured using optical microscopy. During this research, flexural tests, impact tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and heat deflection temperature measurements (HDT) were conducted to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of the developed composite samples. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of NaOH-treated <i>Morus</i><i> a</i><i>l</i><i>ba</i>-reinforced polylactic acid outperform both virgin PLA samples and untreated <i>Morus</i><i> alba</i> samples.
%K <i>Morus</i><i> Alba</i> Fiber (MAF)
%K White Mulberry
%K Polylactic Acid (PLA)
%K Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Solution
%K Single Fiber Tensile Test
%K Thermal Stability
%K Optical Microscopy
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=134562