This study aimed at investigating the reinforcement effect of milkweed (MW) floss, a smooth and homogeneous natural fiber with a wide hollow lumen, on bio‐based polymer composites. First, MW floss was thoroughly characterized in terms of morphology, surface roughness, and tensile and thermal resistance. Then, MW floss was compared to flax fibers, one of the most widely used natural fibers in the composite industry. Subsequently, bio‐based composites made of polylactic acid (PLA) and 1 wt% MW floss were produced by injection molding and compared to composites reinforced with 1 wt% of flax fibers. Finally, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and impact resistance of composites were determined. Results showed that MW floss, with respect to flax fibers, exhibits lower tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, surface roughness as well as a shorter critical length. Nonetheless, and despite the lower intrinsic properties of MW floss, UTS and impact resistance of MW/PLA composites were found to be 60% and 15% higher than those of Flax/PLA composites, respectively. In addition, micrographs of MW/PLA interface revealed a lack of adhesion in MW/PLA, which should be overcome by surface treatment in upcoming work.

中文翻译：

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关于添加乳草牙线纤维对PLA生物复合材料的加工和力学性能的有效性

这项研究旨在研究乳草（MW）牙线，一种光滑且均匀的天然空心纤维，具有宽的中空内腔，对生物基聚合物复合材料的增强作用。首先，根据形态，表面粗糙度，拉伸强度和耐热性对MW牙线进行了彻底的表征。然后，将MW牙线与亚麻纤维进行了比较，亚麻纤维是复合材料行业中使用最广泛的天然纤维之一。随后，通过注塑成型生产了由聚乳酸（PLA）和1 wt％MW牙线制成的生物基复合材料，并将其与用1 wt％亚麻纤维增强的复合材料进行了比较。最后，确定了复合材料的热性能，机械性能和抗冲击性。结果表明，相对于亚麻纤维，MW牙线具有较低的拉伸模量，极限拉伸强度，表面粗糙度以及较短的临界长度。尽管如此，尽管MW牙线的固有特性较低，但发现MW / PLA复合材料的UTS和耐冲击性分别比亚麻/ PLA复合材料高60％和15％。此外，MW / PLA界面的显微照片显示MW / PLA中缺乏粘附力，应在即将开展的工作中通过表面处理来克服。