Influence of Giant Reed Fibers on Mechanical, Thermal, and Disintegration Behavior of Rotomolded PLA and PE Composites

Abstract This paper assesses the modifications in properties of rotomolded polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) composites obtained with 5 10% giant reed fibers, mainly focusing on alterations due to a bio-disintegration process. Thermal (melting temperature crystallinity degree), morphology (via optical scanning electron microscopy), chemical changes (by Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy) were studied. Composites untreated NaOH-treated fibers obtained, finding that this treatment does not improve mechanical performance increased porosity. The introduction natural into PE matrix significantly modify thermal material. Regarding properties, PE-composites show tensile modulus reduced impact strength than matrix. On other hand, PLA lower flexural neat PLA, remaining rest unchanged regardless fibers' addition. incorporation Arundo modifies great extent degradation behavior