Issue 04/2016

Materials
BIO4SELF
Biobased self-functionalised selfreinforced
composite materials
based on high performance nanofibrillar
PLA fibres
By:
Thomas Köhler, Pavan Manvi, Christian Vierkötter,
Klaus Vonberg, Thomas Gries
Institut für Textiltechnik, RWTH Aachen University,
Aachen, Germany
Guy Buyle, Lien Van der Schueren
Centexbel Textile Research Center, Gent, Belgium
Gunnar Seide
Maastricht University, Maastricht Sci Programme,
Maastricht, Netherlands
The worldwide demand for replacing fossil-based raw
materials for the production of polymers leads to a significant
growth of bioplastics in terms of technological
developments. However, existing drawbacks for certain bioplastics
hinder exploring new fields of application. Polylactic
acid (PLA) has proven itself as a potential thermoplastic
polymer and a candidate in medical and injection moulding
application. Though PLA shows good melt processability, the
deployment in high performance applications is still a mile
stone due to following drawbacks:
• Lower mechanical performance:
The mechanical properties of PLA allow the uses in
films, packaging, containers (bottles and cups) and
medical applications but not enough to use PLA in
high performance applications like composites, where
filament properties are required equivalent to polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) and polyamides (PA).
• Limited durability:
PLA is sensitive to the hydrolytic degradation, which is
also a factor of temperature, moisture and pH value of
the medium. In high performance applications with long
lifetime, PLA has not yet been a primary choice.
Enhancement of mechanical properties and hydrolytic
stability is still a challenge for PLA. The application of PLA
in high performance applications demands improvement in
stiffness, impact strength and product durability.
Approach
The BIO4SELF project aims for enhanced mechanical
properties (stiffness, tensile strength, impact strength)
and temperature resistance by reinforcing PLA with LCPs
(Liquid Crystalline Polymer) via melt compounding process.
Furthermore, the durability of PLA based composites will
be improved via incorporating well-chosen anti-hydrolysis
agents. Further, inherent self-functionalization via
photocatalytic polymers (self-cleaning properties), tailored
microcapsules (self-healing) and deformation detection fibres
(self-sensing) will be added. The potential of these new to be
developed biobased composites will be proven in advanced
prototypes for automotive and home appliances. Cost-efficient
production of fully biobased composites meeting the demand
for high technical performances and sustainability will be
pursued by investigating the performances of new biobased
materials in plastic manufacturing.
Figure 1 displays the production process and the
advantages of a yarn based self-reinforced composite that
will be investigated in this project. To meet the overall goals
36 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/16] Vol. 11