Parametric study on the manufacturing of biocomposite materials

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the fabrication parameters that influence on the mechanical properties of biodegradable composites. Specimens were manufactured using film stacking and compression moulding process. The main analysed parameters were: constituent materials (fibres and matrix), heating temperature and pressure, thickness, fibre orientation and woven architecture. Two different polylactic acid (PLA) matrices, and four different woven fibres of Jute, Flax and Cotton were combined. Because of the parametric study, the influence of each parameter was analysed leading to an optimized manufacturing method. The results were analysed in terms of tensile strength and failure strain.