Improvement of Interfacial Adhesion in Bamboo Polymer Composite Enhanced with Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose

Abstract

Current study presents one of effective techniques to improve mechanical properties of PLA (Poly-Lactic Acid)-based bamboo fiber composite. Commercially available Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose (MFC) obtained from wood pulp was applied as an enhancer to the composite. The bamboo fibers were extracted by steam explosion method and they were also rubbed in water to remove xylem (soft-wall cells). The liquid-based MFC, PLA and the bamboo fiber were mixed in water for several minutes and they were filtrated under vacuum pressure. To fabricate the composite, remained sheets were then hot pressed after dry. Three-point bending strength and Mode I fracture toughness of the composite were significantly improved, even when 10% of the MFC was added into the PLA/BF composite in weight. If small amount of MFC added into the bamboo fiber composite, tangled MFC fibers prevented the growth of micro crack along the interface between bamboo fiber and matrix.