Characterization of wood plastic composites using jackfruit wood sawdust in a PLA/HDPE blend
The shift toward a circular economy is driving the demand for bio-composites, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Incorporating wood sawdust, a byproduct of the wood industry, into biodegradable polymers enhances both cost efficiency and environmental benefits. This study de...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Tamkang University Press
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Applied Science and Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jase.tku.edu.tw/articles/jase-202601-29-01-0019 |
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| Summary: | The shift toward a circular economy is driving the demand for bio-composites, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Incorporating wood sawdust, a byproduct of the wood industry, into biodegradable polymers enhances both cost efficiency and environmental benefits. This study developed polylactic acid (PLA)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites with 0–30% jackfruit wood sawdust (SD) using twinscrew extruder and injection molding, with polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (MAPE) to improve bonding. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the successful integration of PLA, HDPE, and SD. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that adding SD lowered PLA’s cold crystallization temperature, indicating better molecular organization, while maintaining a stable melting temperature. Higher SD content (20–30%) slightly increased crystallinity. SEM images showed weak adhesion between PLA and SD, but MAPE enhanced bonding in some areas. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) demonstrated that SD reduced the storage modulus at low temperatures but increased stiffness at higher temperatures, acting as a reinforcing agent. These
results suggest that jackfruit wood sawdust effectively strengthens PLA-based composites while maintaining
their thermal stability. Overall, this study highlights the potential of wood sawdust as a sustainable filler, improving material properties while promoting waste reduction. These bio-composites show promise for applications in packaging and agriculture, where biodegradability and cost efficiency are key. Future research will explore additional mechanical properties to optimize performance and expand industrial applications. |
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| ISSN: | 2708-9967 2708-9975 |