Environmentally friendly polymer composites based on PBAT reinforced with natural fibers from the amazon forest

Abstract

Biodegradable composites based on poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and three different natural fibers ( Croton lanjouwensis —Fiber C, Malvastrum tomentosum —Fiber M, and Trema micrantha —Fiber T) from the Amazon forest have been reported for the first time. Natural fibers were extracted through mechanical processing and the composites were prepared by melt mixing procedure. All composites showed greater modulus of elasticity than neat polymer and this improvement varies according to the type of fiber used as reinforcement. Addition of Fiber C increased 48% the modulus of elasticity of the polymer, while the addition of the Fibers M and T increased 70 and 72% the modulus of elasticity of the PBAT, respectively. The results reported in the present work support the idea that the above‐mentioned natural fibers can be used as filler material to obtain environmentally friendly polymer composites with improved properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3351–3360, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers