A Comparative Investigation on the Impact of Reprocessing on Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

Because they are biodegradable, natural fiber-reinforced biopolymers, also referred to as bio-composites, are a practical substitute for petrochemical polymers reinforced with glass fiber. This research aims to compare the impact of reprocessing PLA-PBS matrix-reinforced flax fibers with glass fiber composites on their morphological and tensile properties. Reprocessing does not completely achieve the dispersion of single fibers, according to morphology studies. However, the second extrusion has a slight effect on fiber dispersion. Uniaxial tensile tests revealed that the mechanical properties of all the materials were not significantly damaged during the second reprocessing. In return, for the GF/PLA-PBS, significant higher stress at break is noted, with 53% more than the FF/PLA-PBS. This finding suggests that the mechanical recycling of FF/PLA-PBS and GF/PLA-PBS composites for two cycles of compounding-injection molding is technically feasible without significantly affecting the mechanical performance.