Biocomposites based on polycaprolactone reinforced with alfa fibre mats

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of combining alfa fibres with polycaprolactone (PCL) and using impregnation as a processing technique. Alfa fibres were used to prepare films that were impregnated with PCL solutions in order to produce composites in a continuous process. The resultant composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy, which showed that the PCL matrix formed continuous and homogeneous films. Dynamic mechanical analyses showed that the rubbery plateau of the virgin matrix was significantly prolonged. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the crystallisation capacity of the PCL matrix increased with an increase in the reinforcing cellulose. Finally, the produced composites were assessed by performing contact angle measurements of a water droplet, and it was revealed that this parameter increased up to 130°, indicating that their wettability had decreased drastically.