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

Table of Contents:

Part I: Manufacturing
1. Synthesis of PLA, processing and manufacturing techniques of PLA based composites with various reinforcements
2. Additive manufacturing and their influencing factors on the performance of PLA based Bio-composites
3. Electrospinning and their influencing factors on the performance of PLA based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites
Part II: Performance Characterization
4. Thermal characterization of natural fibre based PLA composites with TGA, DSC, and DMA
5. Performance of the PLA based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites under dynamic loads
6. Compatibilization effects and influence of natural fibre treatment on the thermal, physico-chemical and mechanical properties of PLA based Biocomposites
7. Influence of various nanofillers on the thermal, physio-chemical, and mechanical properties of the polylactic acid (PLA) based bio-composites
8. Synergestic effects of polymer blends on the thermal, physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the PLA based biocomposites
9. Biodegradability, soil burial and antimicrobial properties of the PLA-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites
10. A comprehensive review on bio fibres reinforced with polylactic acid (PLA) as sustainable socioeconomic composites for futuristic applications
Part III: Applications
11. PLA based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites in biomedical and healthcare applications
12. PLA-based bionanocomposites in the film packaging applications
13. Advanced PLA biocomposites for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications
14. PLA based Green Packaging Materials: The potential of nanocomposite films
15. Exploring Biodegradability, Soil Interactions, and Antimicrobial Activity of the natural fibre reinforced PLA-Based Composites