Environmentally friendly poly(butylene succinate) composites with hemp shives

Effect of hemp shives (30–90 v/v %; size 0.5 and 0.8 mm) on the structure (SEM), mechanical properties (tensile properties, impact strength) and thermal properties (thermal conductivity, Vicat softening temperature) and water absorption of PBS composites was investigated. With the increase in filler content, the mechanical and insulating properties of the composites deteriorated due to weak interactions at the filler-polymer matrix interface. Water absorption also increased. Better properties were obtained with a smaller filler size.