The Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Flame Retardancy, Thermal Stability, and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of the PLA/Maize Stalk Composites 


Vol. 26,  No. 9, pp. 3889-3897, Sep.  2025
10.1007/s12221-025-01077-x


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  Abstract

This study focused at exploring the feasibility of using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a reinforcing filler and compatibilizer for polylactic acid/maize stalk fiber (PLA/MSF) composites. The effect of CaCO3 on the flammability, thermal, and rheological properties of the PLA/MSF composite was investigated. The hybrid composites PLA/CaCO3/MSF were prepared using CaCO3, and pulverized PLA and MSF. The CaCO3 composition was kept at 5wt.%, while the MSF was varied from 10 to 20 wt.%. By utilizing various characterization techniques, the surface/structural properties of the hybrid composites were analyzed. The results indicated that incorporating CaCO3 enhanced the dispersion of fibers in the 85/5/10 PLA/CaCO3/MSF and 75/5/20 PLA/CaCO3/MSF composites, irrespective of the fiber content. The hybrid systems demonstrated a reduction in pHRR peaks, ranging from 130 to 148 kW/m2, in contrast to the observed range of 555 to 697 kW/m2 for the neat PLA, PLA/MSF, and PLA/CaCO3 composites. In addition, the hybrid composites recorded lower THR values compared to pure PLA and the binary composites. The 75/5/20 PLA/CaCO3/MSF exhibited the highest storage modulus, whereas increased complex viscosity and G’’ were observed at higher fiber loading (20 wt.%). Calcium carbonate content raised the degradation temperature of the 95/5 PLA/CaCO3 composite in comparison to neat PLA. In contrast, higher loading of MSF (20 wt.%) had an opposite effect on the PLA/CaCO3 composites. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of CaCO3 as a reinforcing filler and compatibilizer in PLA/maize stalk composites.

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  Cite this article

[IEEE Style]

L. Magunga, T. G. Mofokeng, M. T. Motloung, P. Ncube, M. J. Mochane, "The Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Flame Retardancy, Thermal Stability, and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of the PLA/Maize Stalk Composites," Fibers and Polymers, vol. 26, no. 9, pp. 3889-3897, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s12221-025-01077-x.

[ACM Style]

L. Magunga, T. G. Mofokeng, M. T. Motloung, P. Ncube, and M. J. Mochane. 2025. The Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Flame Retardancy, Thermal Stability, and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of the PLA/Maize Stalk Composites. Fibers and Polymers, 26, 9, (2025), 3889-3897. DOI: 10.1007/s12221-025-01077-x.

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