Creep behavior of biocomposites based on sisal fiber reinforced cellulose derivatives/starch blends

Biodegradable composites based on cellulose derivatives/starch blends reinforced with sisal short fibers were fabricated by injection molding. Results of short-term flexural creep tests are reported to investigate the time-dependence behavior of the composites. Fiber content and temperature effects are also considered, taking into account various methods and equations. At short times, a creep power law is employed. A master curve with the Arrhenius model is used to deter-mine the creep resistance at longer times and different temperatures. Good fitting of the experimental results with the four-parameter model is reported, leading to a relationship between the observed creep behavior and the composite morphology. The addition of sisal fibers to the polymeric matrix promotes a significant improvement of the composite creep resistance. (C) 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.