Effect of non-acidic chemical treatment of kenaf fiber on biodegradation and thermal degradation of kenaf/PLA green composite laminates

In the present investigation, biodegradation of untreated and treated kenaf fiber–reinforced PLA composites (KFRPC) using soil burial test at different time periods (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 days) were studied. Thermal gravimetric analysis of untreated and treated kenaf fibers was done to investigate the thermal degradation of different constituents present in fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of degraded samples was done to examine the changes in chemical structure after the soil burial test. Furthermore, the water absorption behavior of untreated and treated KFRPC was examined by water immersion test. The results showed that treated KFRPC exhibited a lower rate of degradation and water absorption percentage as compared to untreated fiber–reinforced composites. Degradation percentage of composites specimen increase with burial time and percentage of compost soil in normal soil.