ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Influence of Filler Content and Polymer Composition on the Properties, Morphology and Processing Parameters of Biodegradable Composites
1
Department of Technology and Polymer Processing, Lublin University of Technology,
Lublin University of Technology Doctoral School, Lublin, Poland
2
Department of Technology and Polymer Processing, Lublin University of Technology, Lublin, Poland
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-12-07
Final revision date: 2026-04-25
Acceptance date: 2026-05-11
Online publication date: 2026-06-08
Publication date: 2026-06-08
Corresponding author
Joanna Alicja Tomasik
Department of Technology and Polymer Processing, Lublin University of Technology, 36 Nadbystrzycka Str., 20-618, Lublin, Poland
Department of Technology and Polymer Processing, Lublin University of Technology, 36 Nadbystrzycka Str., 20-618, Lublin, Poland
Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports 2026;36(2):16-36
KEYWORDS
biodegradable polymer compositespolylactic acid (PLA)poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)wood fibersinjection molding
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Biodegradable composites based on PLA, PHB and a PLA/PHB (80:20) blend with 0, 5 and 10 wt% wood fibers were injection molded into ISO 527 Type 1A specimens. Samples were produced on an Engel Victory 200/50 fast track injection molding machine using a two channel, uncooled mold. Density, Shore D hardness, tensile properties, unnotched impact strength and fracture surfaces were examined. Wood fibers caused small increases in density and only minor changes in hardness, but consistently raised Young’s modulus. At the same time, they reduced tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength, leading to material embrittlement. The polymer matrix determined the baseline stiffness and ductility, while fiber content shifted the stiffness-toughness balance and increased variability at 10 wt% filler. Microscopy confirmed brittle fracture with fibers dispersed throughout the matrices.
REFERENCES (27)
1.
Abedsoltan, H 2023. Applications of plastics in the automotive industry: Current trends and future perspectives. Polymer Engineering & Science 64, 929-950.
2.
Hassan, T, Saeed, S, Ahmad, A, Ahmed, F, Ali, Y and Khalid, S 2022. Synthetic polymers and their use in clinical medicine: a narrative review. Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences 20, 159-164.
3.
Kurowiak, J, Klekiel, T and Będziński, R 2023. Biodegradable Polymers in Biomedical Applications: A Review—Developments, Perspectives and Future Challenges. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, 16952.
4.
Cai, Z, Li, M, Zhu, Z, Wang, X, Huang, Y, Li, T, Gong, H and Yan, M 2023. Biological Degradation of Plastics and Microplastics: A Recent Perspective on Associated Mechanisms and Influencing Factors. Microorganisms 11, 1661.
5.
de Souza, AS, Ferreira, PG, de Jesus, IS, de Oliveira, RP, de Carvalho, AS, Futuro, DO and Ferreira, VF 2025. Recent Progress in Polyolefin Plastic: Polyethylene and Polypropylene Transformation and Depolymerization Techniques. Molecules 30, 87.
6.
Senila, L, Kovacs, E and Senila, M 2025. A Review of Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as Bio-Sourced Polymers for Membrane Production Applications. Membranes 15, 210.
7.
Boey, JY, Mohamad, L, Khok, YS, Tay, GS and Baidurah, S 2021. A Review of the Applications and Biodegradation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Poly(lactic acid) and Its Composites. Polymers 13, 1544.
8.
Zhao, X, Hu, H, Wang, X, Yu, X, Zhou, W and Peng, S 2020. Super tough poly(lactic acid) blends: a comprehensive review. Royal Society of Chemistry Advances 10, 13316-13368.
9.
Meereboer, KW, Misra, M and Mohanty, AK 2020. Review of recent advances in the biodegradability of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics and their composites. Green Chemistry 22, 5519-5558.
10.
Olejnik, O, Masek, A and Zawadziłło, J 2021. Processability and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polylactide/Polyhydroxybutyrate (PLA/PHB) Bioblends. Materials 14, 898.
11.
Mitaľová, Z, Mitaľ, D and Berladir, K 2024. A Concise Review of the Components and Properties of Wood-Plastic Composites. Polymers 16, 1556.
12.
Suriani, MJ, Ilyas, RA, Zuhri, MYM, Khalina, A, Sultan, MTH, Sapuan, SM, Ruzaidi, CM, Wan, FN, Zulkifli, F, Harussani, MM, Azman, MA, Radzi, FSM and Sharma, S 2021. Critical Review of Natural Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites: Processing, Properties, Applications and Cost. Polymers 13, 3514.
13.
Pereira, JF, Núñez, E, Reyes, A, Mali, S, Lopez-Rubio, A and Fabra, MJ 2024. On the use of lignocellulosic hemp fibers to produce biodegradable cost-efficient biocomposites. Future Foods 10, 100507.
14.
Łączny, D, Macko, M, Moraczewski, K, Szczepański, Z and Trafarski, A 2021. Influence of the Size of the Fiber Filler of Corn Stalks in the Polylactide Matrix Composite on the Mechanical and Thermomechanical Properties. Materials 14, 7281.
15.
Mulenga, T, Ude, AU and Vivekanandhan, C 2020. Concise review on the mechanical characteristics of hybrid natural fibres with filler content. AIMS Materials Science 7, 650-664.
16.
McKay, I, Vargas, J, Yang, L and Felfel, RM 2024. A Review of Natural Fibres and Biopolymer Composites: Progress, Limitations, and Enhancement Strategies. Materials 17, 4878.
17.
PN-EN ISO 527-2:2012, Plastics - Determination of tensile properties - Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics.
18.
PN-EN ISO 868:2005, Plastics and ebonite - Determination of indentation hardness by means of a durometer (Shore hardness).
19.
PN-EN ISO 527-1:2020-01, Plastics - Determination of tensile properties - Part 1: General principles.
21.
Rbihi, Z, Erchiqui, F, Rodrigue, D and Kaddami, H 2025. Thermal, Mechanical and Rheological Properties of PLA/PHB Biocomposites Reinforced with Alkaline-Treated Hemp Fibers and Granules. ChemEngineering 9, 122.
22.
Cosse, RL, Voet, VSD, Folkersma, R and Loos, K 2023. The effect of size and delignification on the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites reinforced with wood fibres via extrusion. RSC Sustainability 1, 876-885.
23.
Gao, L and Drozdov, A 2024. Exploring the performance of bio-based PLA/PHB blends: A comprehensive analysis. Polymers from Renewable Resources 15, 358-374.
24.
Woo, EM and Lugito, G 2016. Cracks in Polymer Spherulites: Phenomenological Mechanisms in Correlation with Ring Bands. Polymers 8, 329.
25.
Vu, DH, Mahboubi, A, Ferreira, JA, Taherzadeh, MJ and Åkesson, D 2022. Polyhydroxybutyrate-Natural Fiber Reinforcement Biocomposite Production and Their Biological Recyclability through Anaerobic Digestion. Energies 15, 8934.
26.
Gao, H and Qiang, T 2017. Fracture Surface Morphology and Impact Strength of Cellulose/PLA Composites. Materials 10, 624.
27.
D'Anna, A, Arrigo, R and Frache, A 2019. PLA/PHB Blends: Biocompatibilizer Effects. Polymers 11, 1416.
| eISSN: | 2450-8594 |
| ISSN: | 2080-5187 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
