Behaviour of a self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) in seawater

M. Le Gall; Z. Niu; M. Curto; A. I. Catarino; E. Demeyer; C. Jiang; H. Dhakal; G. Everaert; P. Davies

doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107619

Behaviour of a self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) in seawater

M. Le Gall, Z. Niu, M. Curto, A. I. Catarino, E. Demeyer, C. Jiang, H. Dhakal, G. Everaert, P. Davies^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Faculty of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine whether a bio-based self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) is suitable for use in structures deployed in the marine environment. The material was produced from co-mingled fibres with different melting points. Two key criteria, durability during service and microplastic formation, were examined. To assess durability, mechanical properties, tension and transverse impact, were used to quantify the influence of seawater ageing for up to 24 months. After seawater ageing at 40 °C for 12 months, composite strength was completely degraded. To assess microplastic formation, specimens of SRPLA were exposed in seawater to accelerated ultraviolet (UV) radiation simulating natural exposure for up to 18 months. Fluorescence microscopy and infrared technology were used to quantify and characterise the microplastics formed. Their number was independent of UV exposure, suggesting short-term UV radiation does not accelerate SRPLA microplastic formation. We discuss the potential for SRPLA to be considered a promising material for sustainable marine applications.

Original language	English
Article number	107619
Number of pages	12
Journal	Polymer Testing
Volume	111
Early online date	10 May 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107619
Publication status	Published - Jul 2022

Keywords

Durability
Marine environment
Mechanical properties
Microplastics
Moisture absorption
Polylactic acid

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107619

Behaviour of a self-reinforced polylactic acid in seawaterFinal published version, 10 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "Behaviour of a self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) in seawater",

abstract = "The goal of this study was to determine whether a bio-based self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) is suitable for use in structures deployed in the marine environment. The material was produced from co-mingled fibres with different melting points. Two key criteria, durability during service and microplastic formation, were examined. To assess durability, mechanical properties, tension and transverse impact, were used to quantify the influence of seawater ageing for up to 24 months. After seawater ageing at 40 °C for 12 months, composite strength was completely degraded. To assess microplastic formation, specimens of SRPLA were exposed in seawater to accelerated ultraviolet (UV) radiation simulating natural exposure for up to 18 months. Fluorescence microscopy and infrared technology were used to quantify and characterise the microplastics formed. Their number was independent of UV exposure, suggesting short-term UV radiation does not accelerate SRPLA microplastic formation. We discuss the potential for SRPLA to be considered a promising material for sustainable marine applications.",

keywords = "Durability, Marine environment, Mechanical properties, Microplastics, Moisture absorption, Polylactic acid",

author = "{Le Gall}, M. and Z. Niu and M. Curto and Catarino, {A. I.} and E. Demeyer and C. Jiang and H. Dhakal and G. Everaert and P. Davies",

note = "Funding Information: The SeaBioComp project has received funding from the Interreg 2 Seas programme 2014–2020 co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under subsidy contract number 2506–006. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors",

year = "2022",

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doi = "10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107619",

language = "English",

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AU - Le Gall, M.

AU - Niu, Z.

AU - Curto, M.

AU - Catarino, A. I.

AU - Demeyer, E.

AU - Jiang, C.

AU - Dhakal, H.

AU - Everaert, G.

AU - Davies, P.

N1 - Funding Information: The SeaBioComp project has received funding from the Interreg 2 Seas programme 2014–2020 co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under subsidy contract number 2506–006. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors

PY - 2022/7

Y1 - 2022/7

N2 - The goal of this study was to determine whether a bio-based self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) is suitable for use in structures deployed in the marine environment. The material was produced from co-mingled fibres with different melting points. Two key criteria, durability during service and microplastic formation, were examined. To assess durability, mechanical properties, tension and transverse impact, were used to quantify the influence of seawater ageing for up to 24 months. After seawater ageing at 40 °C for 12 months, composite strength was completely degraded. To assess microplastic formation, specimens of SRPLA were exposed in seawater to accelerated ultraviolet (UV) radiation simulating natural exposure for up to 18 months. Fluorescence microscopy and infrared technology were used to quantify and characterise the microplastics formed. Their number was independent of UV exposure, suggesting short-term UV radiation does not accelerate SRPLA microplastic formation. We discuss the potential for SRPLA to be considered a promising material for sustainable marine applications.

AB - The goal of this study was to determine whether a bio-based self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) is suitable for use in structures deployed in the marine environment. The material was produced from co-mingled fibres with different melting points. Two key criteria, durability during service and microplastic formation, were examined. To assess durability, mechanical properties, tension and transverse impact, were used to quantify the influence of seawater ageing for up to 24 months. After seawater ageing at 40 °C for 12 months, composite strength was completely degraded. To assess microplastic formation, specimens of SRPLA were exposed in seawater to accelerated ultraviolet (UV) radiation simulating natural exposure for up to 18 months. Fluorescence microscopy and infrared technology were used to quantify and characterise the microplastics formed. Their number was independent of UV exposure, suggesting short-term UV radiation does not accelerate SRPLA microplastic formation. We discuss the potential for SRPLA to be considered a promising material for sustainable marine applications.

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KW - Marine environment

KW - Mechanical properties

KW - Microplastics

KW - Moisture absorption

KW - Polylactic acid

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Behaviour of a self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) in seawater

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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