Mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of poly(butylene succinate) composites reinforced with basalt fiber.

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/basalt fiber (BF) composites were prepared by melt blending method using twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. Mechanical properties, crystallization and melting behavior, morphology, crystal structure and thermal stability of PBS/BF composites with various BF contents were investigated by different techniques. The tensile and impact properties of the composites were improved markedly with the addition of BF, due to the efficient interfacial adhesion between fibers and PBS matrix. Crystallization and melting behavior of PBS in its composites kept almost unchanged, indicating that the nucleation effect of BF was minimal and, meanwhile, it played a role in hindrance of chain motion. TG analysis showed that the thermal stability of PBS/BF composites was enhanced by the addition of BF. The crystal structure of PBS was not affected by the incorporation of BF, while the nucleation density increased gradually and the spherulite size reduced remarkably with the increase in BF. No transcrystallization phenomenon on the surface of BF was observed maybe as a result of without surface treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]