Mechanical Recycling of Biochar‐Filled Poly(lactic acid): A Study of Mechanical and Thermal Properties Supported by Meta‐Analysis.
Saved in:
| Title: | Mechanical Recycling of Biochar‐Filled Poly(lactic acid): A Study of Mechanical and Thermal Properties Supported by Meta‐Analysis. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Virág, Ábris Dávid1 (AUTHOR) virag.abris.david@gpk.bme.hu, Müller, Kerstin2 (AUTHOR), Ramos‐Masana, Ana2 (AUTHOR), Tóth, Csenge1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Macromolecular Materials & Engineering. May2026, Vol. 311 Issue 5, p1-21. 21p. |
| Subjects: | Biochar, Polylactic acid, Mechanical behavior of materials, Waste recycling, Composite materials, Injection molding, Product life cycle assessment, Thermal properties |
| Abstract: | Recent life cycle assessments show that poly(lactic acid) (PLA) should be mechanically recycled as it conserves energy, retains material value, and supports a circular economy more effectively than composting or chemical recycling. Fillers can reduce recycling‐induced deterioration of mechanical properties. Among them, biochar, a renewable additive, has attracted growing interest. In this study, we investigated the effect of biochar and repeated mechanical recycling on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of injection‐molded PLA. To this end, PLA composites with 5 wt.% biochar were subjected to 0, 1, and 5 reprocessing cycles. Rheological results indicate that each processing step decreased the weight‐average molecular weight of PLA by approximately 9%. 5 reprocessing cycles caused a significant decrease in tensile strength and strain at break, while a single recycling step had no adverse effect. Our meta‐analysis of the literature confirmed that biochar generally causes only minor changes in the tensile properties of PLA (median: Δσ≈ −2.9%, ΔE≈+9.7%, Δε≈−16.7%). Neither the addition of biochar nor recycling affected its glass transition or melting temperatures. Overall, the results indicate that mechanical recycling is feasible as an end‐of‐life solution for PLA with biochar as a filler, but only with a limited number of recycling cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Macromolecular Materials & Engineering is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Recent life cycle assessments show that poly(lactic acid) (PLA) should be mechanically recycled as it conserves energy, retains material value, and supports a circular economy more effectively than composting or chemical recycling. Fillers can reduce recycling‐induced deterioration of mechanical properties. Among them, biochar, a renewable additive, has attracted growing interest. In this study, we investigated the effect of biochar and repeated mechanical recycling on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of injection‐molded PLA. To this end, PLA composites with 5 wt.% biochar were subjected to 0, 1, and 5 reprocessing cycles. Rheological results indicate that each processing step decreased the weight‐average molecular weight of PLA by approximately 9%. 5 reprocessing cycles caused a significant decrease in tensile strength and strain at break, while a single recycling step had no adverse effect. Our meta‐analysis of the literature confirmed that biochar generally causes only minor changes in the tensile properties of PLA (median: Δσ≈ −2.9%, ΔE≈+9.7%, Δε≈−16.7%). Neither the addition of biochar nor recycling affected its glass transition or melting temperatures. Overall, the results indicate that mechanical recycling is feasible as an end‐of‐life solution for PLA with biochar as a filler, but only with a limited number of recycling cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 14387492 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/mame.70234 |
