Polyhydroxybutyrate/hemp biocomposite: tuning performances by process and compatibilisation

François Touchaleaume (1) , Romain Tessier (1) , Rémi Auvergne (2) , Sylvain Caillol (2) , Sandrine Hoppe (3) , Helene Angellier-Coussy (4)

1 TPCIM - Département Technologie des Polymères et Composites & Ingénierie Mécanique
2 ICGM - Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier - Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux de Montpellier
3 LRGP - Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés
4 UMR IATE - Ingénierie des Agro-polymères et Technologies Émergentes

A fully bio-sourced and biodegradable composite materials has been developed, based on polyhydroxybutyrate and hemp fibres (20wt% content). Improvements of the final performances of composite materials are not only related to the filler content and intrinsic properties of constituents, but also to the filler dispersion state and to the filler/matrix interface. Hence, the week interactions between the apolar matrix and the polar fibres have been counterbalanced by adding a green compatibilizer. The impact of processing (screw profile and speed) and formulation (compatibilizing route) on the structure and thermal properties of biocomposites has been discussed in relation to their mechanical properties and water vapour sensitivity. A strong nucleating effect provided by the fibres has been highlighted and a clear fibre-matrix load transfer confirmed the effectiveness of the prepared compatibilizer. Biodegradability of those fully biobased composites was also evaluated in compost.

Mots clés: A-Polymer-matrix composites; A-Natural fibres; B-Mechanical properties; E- Extrusion

Domaines: Polymères; Matériaux; Génie des procédés

François Touchaleaume, Romain Tessier, Rémi Auvergne, Sylvain Caillol, Sandrine Hoppe, et al.. Polyhydroxybutyrate/hemp biocomposite: tuning performances by process and compatibilisation. Green materials, 2019, 7 (4), pp.194-204. ⟨10.1680/jgrma.19.00005⟩. ⟨hal-02196923⟩