TH26097U - Formulation of Poly(lactic acid/Cotton) Biocomposite Material Reinforced with Cotton Fibers for Production of High Heat Resistance and Autoclavable Packaging by Injection Molding and its Manufacturing Process. - Google Patents

Abstract

------24/08/2022------(OCR) A formula for preparing polylactic acid composite biopolymer pellets reinforced with cotton fibers for injection molding of high-temperature and autoclavable packaging was developed. The composition includes: 100 parts polylactic acid, 4-12 parts epoxy-modified natural rubber, 5-15 parts cotton fiber reinforcement, 1.75 parts polyester polyol, 1.25 parts diisocyanate, 40 parts tacum filler powder, 10 parts titanium oxide filler powder, 0.02 parts dicumyl beroxide, 0.20 parts vinyl silane, and 0.2 parts anti-degradation agent. The polylactic acid composite biopolymer pellets reinforced with cotton fibers were produced using a twin-screw melt mixer. The prepared biopolymer composite pellets were then molded into products. Through an injection molding process followed by steam curing, the resulting packaging possesses excellent mechanical properties, high heat resistance, and the ability to maintain its shape at temperatures exceeding 121°C. This makes it suitable for packaging hot food and beverages, microwave-safe containers for reheated food, and for sterilization in high-pressure steam ovens. Furthermore, the resulting waste is biodegradable, making this invention environmentally friendly.

Claims (4)

OCR 10KL (27/06/2568) 1. The formula for preparing a poly(lactic acid)/cotton biocomposite material reinforced with cotton fibers for injection molding of high-heat resistant and autoclavable packaging consists of the following components by weight, relative to 100 parts per 100 parts (phr) of polylactic acid (PLA) pellets: - Poly(lactic acid), PLA: 100 parts - Epoxy-modified natural rubber, ENR: 4-12 parts - Cotton fiber reinforcement: 5-15 parts - Polyester polyol: 1.75 parts - Diosocyanate (Dlisocyanate) 1.25 parts - Taic Filler Powder 40 parts - Titanium Oxide Filler Powder 10 parts - Dicumyl Peroxide 0.02 parts - Vinyl Silane 0.20 parts - Processing Stabilizer 0.2 parts 2. Formulation of a polylactic acid composite biopolymer reinforced with cotton fibers for injection molding of high-temperature resistant and sterile packaging according to Patent 1, which has an optimal weight ratio of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) of 8 parts. 3. A formula for preparing a polyethylene acid composite biopolymer reinforced with cotton fibers for injection molding, high-temperature resistant and sterile packaging, as per either claim 1 or 2, where the optimal ratio of cotton fiber reinforcement by weight is 15 parts. 4. The process for producing polylactic acid composite biopolymer materials reinforced with cotton fibers for injection molding, high heat resistant and sterilizable packaging, as per claim 1, has the following production process steps: (1) Grinding and mixing modified natural rubber in an internal mixer (1.1) Mix 1.75 parts of polyester polyol with 1.25 parts of disccyanate in a mixing container, stirring all the ingredients together until they are homogeneous. (1.2) Take 40 parts of talc filler powder, 10 parts of titanium oxide (TIO) powder, 5 - 15 parts of reinforcing cotton fibers, and 4 - 12 parts of epoxidized natural rubber and mix them with the mixture prepared in item 1.1. Then transfer all the mixture into an internal mixer and grind all the mixture at 90 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes. This will result in a mixture of fine powder granules of modified rubber. (2) Preparation of polylactic acid composite biopolymer granules reinforced with cotton fibers. On a twin-screw extruder (2.1), the prepared mixture of modified natural rubber powder in step 1 and poly(lactic acid) pellets (PLA) were dried in a vacuum oven at 90°C for 4 hours. (2.2) Dissolve 0.02 parts of dicumyl peroxide with 0.30 parts of vinyl silane in a container. (2.3) Mix 100 parts of the dried poly(lactic acid) pellets from step 2.1 with the dicumyl peroxide and vinyl silane solution prepared in step 2.2. Mix thoroughly so that the solution coats the poly(lactic acid) pellets evenly. Then add the anti-degradation powder. During the molding process (Processing Stabilizer) 0.2 parts and mix again (2.4). Take the polylactic acid pellets prepared from step 2.3 and the modified natural rubber powder pellets that have been dried from step 2.1 and mix them with the polylactic acid pellets prepared from step 2.3. Mix until the mixture is evenly distributed (2.5). Melt all the mixture in step 2.4 on a twin screw extruder, programming the melting temperature from the feed zone to the die zone in 5 zones as follows: Zone 1 = 170°C, Zone 2 = 175°C, Zone 3 = 180°C, Zone 4 = 185°C, and Zone 5 = 190°C. Melt at the melting rate The screw rotates at 25 revolutions per minute, then the melt-blended cotton fiber reinforced composite polymer is cooled in the air and cut into pellets for injection molding into packaging. (3) Injection molding of products by injection molding and curing process (3.1) The cotton fiber reinforced polylactic acid composite biopolymer produced from step 2 is dried in a vacuum oven at 90 degrees Celsius for 3 hours. (3.2) Injection molding of high-temperature resistant packaging and autoclave-sterilized packaging from the dried cotton fiber reinforced polylactic acid composite biopolymer produced from step 3.1 by programming the injection molding temperature from the feed zone to the nozzle zone in 4 zones in order: 170 degrees Celsius, 185 ... 190°C and 195°C and set the mold cooling temperature to 30°C (3.3). The injection molded packaging from section 3.2 is then incubated in a sauna at 90°C for 6 hours. After the sauna incubation, the workpiece is then dried in a vacuum oven at 90°C for 3 hours. This will result in a final packaging with a high HDT value of more than 121°C, which can be used as heat-resistant packaging and packaging that can be autoclaved.