Development and Characterization of PLA Composites with High Contents of a Brazilian Refractory Clay and Improved Fire Performance

Aiming to overcome poly(lactic acid) (PLA) limitations regarding flammability and high costs, a highly refractory clay (RC) was employed produce PLA/RC composites. The composites with contents of 0, 2.5, 10 15 wt% were produced by extrusion, conformed injection molding, characterized thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical analysis, electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), statistical variance (ANOVA) tests. overall thermal stability the materials not affected incorporation polymer matrix; improvements around 25% for Young’s modulus slight increase in flexural impact strength, when compared neat PLA, obtained; ANOVA showed possibility incorporating higher loads clay, 10-15 wt%, order make final material more cost effective. demonstrated self-extinguish behavior flame even at lower content.