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Natural Fibers, Plastics and Composites pp 149–165Cite as

Plastics and Composites from Polylactic Acid

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Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic polyester that has been commercialized for use in biodegradable plastic bags and planting cups. Recent research and development efforts show that it is also a superior composite matrix material. Flax reinforced PLA composites, which are readily extrusion and compression molded, were found to have 50% higher strength than other flax reinforced thermoplastic composites which are already being used in automotive panels.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Kristiina Oksman

  2. Fortum Oil and Gas, Porvoo, Finland

    Johan-Fredrik Selin

Authors
  1. Kristiina Oksman
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  2. Johan-Fredrik Selin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fiberglass Science and Technology, PPG Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

    Frederick T. Wallenberger

  2. Lewes, DE

    Norman E. Weston (Consultant) (Consultant)

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© 2004 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Oksman, K., Selin, JF. (2004). Plastics and Composites from Polylactic Acid. In: Wallenberger, F.T., Weston, N.E. (eds) Natural Fibers, Plastics and Composites. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9050-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9050-1_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4774-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-9050-1

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