Polylactide-based composites reinforced with biodegradable glass fibers

This paper presents the method of obtaining biodegradable glass fibers and the results of strength tests of polylactide based composites reinforced with obtained fibers. Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable plastic used in both industry and medicine. In medical applications its use is limited due to low mechanical properties. One of the methods to improve the strength parameters is the development of composite materials based on PLA with fibrous fillers. In this work as a matrix, the NatureWorks 4043D polylactide was used. For the reinforcement, the continuous, biodegradable glass fiber was used. These fibers were obtained by direct pulling out of the preform. Their composition is based on the composition of the biodegradable 45S5 glass, but the contents of calcium oxide (CaO) and sodium oxide (Na2O) have been changed. Also the potassium oxide (K2O) was added. Composite samples were obtained by flooding the fibers with polylactide dissolved in dichloromethane. Strength tests were carried out using the Zwick/Roell Z010 strength machine. The tensile strength values for composites ranged from slightly less than 11 MPa to almost 20 MPa. For PLA samples it ranged from about 14 MPa to slightly less than 18 MPa. The highest values of tensile strength were obtained by composite samples. Initial studies show that it is possible to improve the tensile strength of PLA samples by incorporating biodegradable glass fibers into their structure.