Mechanical performance of multilayer biodegradable Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(butylene succinate) laminates prepared from woven fibers

Biocomposite materials are being investigated as sustainable alternatives compared to conventional polymer composites due to environmental concerns. This study focused on the development of multilayer biocomposites composed of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) woven fabrics, aiming to evaluate the influence of woven fabric patterns on their mechanical properties. Various weave patterns and layer configurations were fabricated using compression molding, and their mechanical performance was evaluated through tensile, puncture, and tear strength testing. The results showed that the weaving pattern had a significant influence on the biocomposite mechanical properties. The tensile strength of PLA/PBS woven fabrics varied according to the weaving pattern, ranging from 16.8 to 26.4 MPa in the warp direction and from 7.0 to 9.3 MPa in the weft direction. The morphology analysis verified that PBS effectively coated on the PLA surface fibers, enhancing adhesion between surfaces while preserving the structure of the fabric. Tear and puncture strength measurement revealed that the structure of the weft yarn consisting of a 2:2 ratio of PBS yarn to PLA yarn, was the most resistant to tear and puncture tests. This study facilitated the design of improved mechanical strength PLA/PBS multilayer biocomposites as a sustainable alternative for structural materials.