bioXpul™ - technology for manufacturing PLA-based biocomposites with increased thermomechanical stability

The assumptions of the bioXpulTM technology for manufacturing polylactide (PLA) composites with superior thermomechanical stability and favorable mechanical properties are presented. The modification concept assumes the simultaneous modification of PLA by introducing nucleants and basalt powder and infiltration with this composition of basalt or hybrid flax-basalt rovings. Using a one-step production method allowed for a significant reduction in the fibers' as well as PLA matrix processing-originated degradation. Injection-molded composite parts made of pultruded pellets, and formed with acceptable cooling times, showed high thermomechanical stability (HDT above 160 °C) resulting from the synergistic effect of improved crystallinity and fillers.