TY  - EJOU
AU  - Colbert, Declan Mary 
AU  - Manaf, Eyman 
AU  - Ali, Zeeshan 
AU  - Rowe, Steven 
AU  - Doran, Chris 
AU  - Howard, Trevor 
AU  - Chyzna, Vlasta 
AU  - Moore, Evan 
AU  - Murphy, Alan J. 
AU  - Doran, Patrick 
AU  - Abdeali, Golnoosh 
AU  - Devine, Declan M. 

TI  - Influence of Processing Route on the Mechanical Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Poly(Caprolactone)-Basalt Fiber Composites Prepared via Planetary Extrusion
T2  - Journal of Polymer Materials

PY  - 2026
VL  - 43
IS  - 1
SN  - 0976-3449

AB  - A comparative analysis was performed on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), basalt fiber (BF) composites produced using two distinct approaches: direct blending and masterbatching. The limitations of PLA-BF composites with regard to distribution and adhesion are well-documented, as are chemical treatment methods (addition of compatibilisers, surface treatments, silanization). This work aimed to study an industrially relevant potential solution of utilising a PCL-BF masterbatch, prepared as a 50/50 wt.% blend using planetary roller extrusion (PEX) to both improve the distribution and homogeneity of the fibers as well as provide a secondary adhesion site to facilitate improved mechanical properties of the final PLA-PCL-BF composite. The resultant materials were injection moulded to prepare ISO standard test specimens and tested on the basis of their physical properties via tensile testing, impact strength testing, flexural analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and water absorption capability. The results displayed that the incorporation of PCL and BF led to an increase in ductility of the composite materials, allowing for improvements in the inherent brittleness of virgin PLA. Major increases in the impact strength were achieved with the utilisation of a 25% PCL/BF masterbatch, allowing for a greater than 50% increase. As an overall observation, the use of a masterbatching process, opposed to direct blending of the constituent materials allows for a greater consistency of composite to be achieved at the expense of increased gains.
KW  - PLA; natural fibers; composites; planetary extrusion

DO  - 10.32604/jpm.2026.076318