(1) Universidad de Guadalajara - Jalisco - Mexico, (2) Université Laval - Quebec - Canada
In this study, biocomposites of polylactic acid (PLA) and agave fibers (Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul) were produced by rotational molding. In particular, a simple dry-blending technique was used to disperse the agave fibers in the biodegradable polymer matrix. To compare the efficiency of the process and final properties, samples were also produced by compression molding. Different fiber contents were used between 0 and 40% wt. The samples were then characterized in terms of density, porosity, morphology and mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact). The biocomposites were successfully obtained by both processing methods. It was possible to observe that low fiber contents produced the best morphology, indicating that there is an optimum fiber content to get well-distributed fibers in the matrix. Rotomolded biocomposites had higher porosity than compression molded ones leading lower properties for fiber contents above 10%. The mechanical properties of the compression molded biocomposites were higher than rotomolded ones at higher fiber contents (20 to 40% wt.) leading to 14, 5 and 68% increases for tensile modulus, flexural modulus and impact strength respectively, compared to pure PLA.