Performance Evaluation of Biofibers and Their Hybrids as Reinforcements in Bioplastic Composites

Biofibers such as soy hull, switchgrass, miscanthus, and their hybrids are used as reinforcements to engineer green composites in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐valerate) and polylactide blends through melt mixing. The physico‐mechanical performance of the composites is evaluated by means of mechanical testing, DSC and SEM. The combination of agricultural residues as hybrids is shown to reduce supply chain concerns for injection‐molded green composites. The use of inexpensive biofibers and their hybrids proves an alternate way of getting cheap sustainable materials with better performance. magnified image