Production of Biodegradable Films from PLA and Bagasse

Abstract

The poly lactic (PLA) acid is regarded as a suitable environmental corresponding type material for the 21 centuries; the research and development of fiber, film, seat and resin etc are advanced rapidly. The aim of this research is to improve the plasticity of polylactic acid film. We tried to use low molecular weight plasticizer PEG to improve the polylactic acid film. With the addition of the plasticizer PEG, the tensibility of polylactic acid film is increased at one hand, the intensity and water vapor permeability are inclined to decrease on another hand. In the experiment, we also tried to use super grinded bagasse particle with a diameter of 40μm to increase the intensity and water vapor permeability, and also reduce the price of the polylactic acid film. The result showed that the bagasse particles improve the tensile yield strength and water resistance.
In addition, with comparison to the physical characteristic of commercial polyethylene film which filled with 30% CaCO₃, the poly lactic acid filled with bagasse particle is proved to possess of almost the same characteristic as them.