Natural Fiber-Reinforced PLA Composites : Processing, Characterization and Applications

Amongst thermoplastic biodegradable polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) has been widely used in many different applications but it still has limited use in various industrial sectors such as medical, packaging, textile, water, and wastewater treatment.

To increase the use of these materials more information is needed on their properties, characterization, processing, safety, and sustainability.

Natural Fibre-Reinforced PLA Composites: Processing, Characterization and Applications reviews the thermal, physico-chemical, fire retardant, mechanical, tribological, biodegradable and anti-microbial properties of these materials. Fabrication of PLA biocomposites using advanced fabrication techniques like additive manufacturing and electrospinning are also discussed in detail.
The book will be a valuable reference for academic and industrial researchers, materials scientists and engineers working in the development of polymers, bioplastics, polymer composites and biocomposites as well as industrial manufacturers.

• Covers all aspects of polylactide biocomposites, and discusses their properties and characterization
• Discusses compostability, the influence of water uptake, and other aging conditions
• Covers Lifecycle assessment, end of life options and recycling of bio-based products from PLA
• Discusses Socioeconomic aspects, sustainability, and future-prospects

Dr. Chandrasekar Muthukumar is presently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Chennai, India. He graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India. His Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering was from Nanyang Technological University-TUM ASIA, Singapore. He received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia. His PhD was funded through the research grant from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. During his association with the UPM, he has obtained internal research fund from the University worth 16,000 MYR and 20,000 MYR respectively. He has 5 years of teaching and academic research experience. His field of expertise includes Fibre Metal Laminate (FML), natural fibres, bio-composites, aging and their characterization. His publications are based on the fabrication and characterization techniques of Biocomposites, Aging studies in Biocomposites and Creep analysis of Biocomposites. He has authored and co-authored more than 60 research articles in SCI Journals, 40 book chapters and 5 articles in the conference proceedings. He has edited 10 books in the theme of biocomposites and is currently co-editing 3 books which are to be published by reputed publishing houses. He is a peer reviewer for several international journals and to name a few are Journal of Composite Materials, Polymer Composites, Materials Research Express and Journal of Natural fibres etc.

Dr. Senthilkumar Krishnasamy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research. He was a Research Scientist at the Centre of Innovation in Design and Engineering for Manufacturing (CoI-DEM), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand. He graduated with Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2005. He then chose to continue his master’s studies and was graduated with a Master’s degree in CAD/CAM from Anna University, Tirunelveli, in 2009. He has obtained his Ph.D. from the Department of Mechanical Engineering- Kalasalingam University (2016). He had been working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), India, from 2010 (January) to 2018 (October).

Dr. Senthil Muthu Kumar Thiagamani is currently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Tamil Nadu, India. He graduated from Anna University, Chennai with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and he obtained his Master’s in Automotive Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (specialized in Biocomposites) from KARE. He has also completed his Postdoctoral Research from the Materials and Production Engineering Department at The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), KMUTNB, Thailand. He has over 14 years of teaching and research experience. He is a member of International Association of Advanced Materials. His research interests include biodegradable polymer composites and characterization. He has authored more than 120 research articles published in reputed SCI indexed journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He has also edited 13 books in the theme of biocomposites and currently editing 3 books

Dr. Mohamad Ridzwan Bin Ishak is affiliated with the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in his capacity as an Associate Professor. He has authored and co-authored several national and international publications. He is a peer reviewer for high-reputed journals publishing research in the field of biocomposites. Dr. Mohamad Ridzwan Ishak has received several awards and international recognitions for his contributions to the scientific community. He has published 2 edited books to date. His research interest includes biocomposite materials and their manufacturing process.