Biodegradability of sisal fabric reinforced PLA composites in different soil mediums for single-use eco-friendly applications

Abstract

Studies performed to investigate the impact of nature of soil medium and burial time period on biodegradable characteristics of sisal fabric added polylactic acid (PLA) composites were presented. Composites were developed using a solution-casting technique followed by the hot-press compression molding process. Experiments were performed under three various soil mediums such as compost, garden-soil and soil-compost mixture for 30, 60 and 80 d of soil-incubation time periods, to identify the best degradation soil medium to assist in environmental pollution reduction. In order to quantify the biodegradation characteristics of the biocomposite coupons, weight-loss measurement, changes in surface morphology and tensile properties were evaluated at different time intervals. Results revealed that the deterioration of PLA was improved remarkably with the addition of sisal fiber. The composites buried in compost environment showed higher biodegradation with a 9.93% weight-loss compared to the other soil types considered. Tensile properties were decreased significantly with increase in soil burial time. Degradation characteristics of the composite specimens were assessed by the surface morphology study conducted on the scanning-electron-microscope image. Morphological study indicated that severe disruption of PLA/sisal composites occurs between 60 and 80 d of soil burial.