Research Article

Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing

Volume: 27 October 22, 2026
TR EN

Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal, chemical, physical, morphological, and mechanical properties of hot-pressed PLA-hemp biocomposites produced without compatibilizers. Hemp particles below 75 µm were composed of PLA at 3%, 6%, and 9 wt%, and neat PLA was evaluated in both granular and extruded forms. The composition was compounded using a twin-screw extruder and converted into plates by hot pressing. TGA showed that extrusion slightly improved the thermal stability of neat PLA, whereas hemp addition reduced degradation temperatures. DSC results demonstrated that hemp fibers increased earlier crystallization and the crystallinity of the PLA matrix. FTIR spectra showed that the interaction between PLA and hemp was mainly physical but there is no evidence of new chemical bond formation. Water absorption and thickness swelling increased with hemp content, reaching the highest values in PLA-H9. Surface roughness was significantly affected by sample type, while tensile and flexural strengths decreased after hemp incorporation. SEM images depicted fiber pull-out, interfacial debonding, and micro voids, confirming limited matrix–fiber adhesion. Overall, hemp addition improved bio-based content but reduced strength without compatibilization.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval is not required

References

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  2. ASTM International. (2022a). ASTM D570 – 22:. Standard test method for water absorption of plastics. USA: Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
  3. ASTM International. (2022b). ASTM D638 – 22: Standard test method for tensile properties of plastics. USA: Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
  4. British Standard Institute (2014). BS EN ISO 11358-1: Plastics. Thermogravimetry (TG) of polymers General principles. UK: International Standard
  5. British Standard Institute (2021a). BS EN ISO 11357-3: Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Part 3: Determination of temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization. UK: International Standard
  6. British Standard Institute (2021b). BS EN ISO 11357-4: Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Part 4: Determination of specific heat capacity. UK: International Standard
  7. Celik, E., Uysal, M., Gumus, O.Y., & Tasdemir, C. (2025). 3D-printed biocomposites from hemp fibers reinforced polylactic acid: Thermal, morphology, and mechanical performance. Bioresouces, 20(1), 331-356. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.20.1.331-356
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forestry Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 22, 2026

Submission Date

August 21, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27

APA
Çelik, E., Uysal, M., Taşdemir, Ç., & Gümüş, Ö. Y. (2026). Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing. Turkish Journal of Forestry, 27, 265-278. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.2016624
AMA
1.Çelik E, Uysal M, Taşdemir Ç, Gümüş ÖY. Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing. Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2026;27:265-278. doi:10.18182/tjf.2016624
Chicago
Çelik, Esra, Mesut Uysal, Çağatay Taşdemir, and Ömer Yunus Gümüş. 2026. “Characterization of PLA–hemp Biocomposites Produced by Hot-Pressing”. Turkish Journal of Forestry 27 (October): 265-78. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.2016624.
EndNote
Çelik E, Uysal M, Taşdemir Ç, Gümüş ÖY (October 1, 2026) Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing. Turkish Journal of Forestry 27 265–278.
IEEE
[1]E. Çelik, M. Uysal, Ç. Taşdemir, and Ö. Y. Gümüş, “Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing”, Turkish Journal of Forestry, vol. 27, pp. 265–278, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18182/tjf.2016624.
ISNAD
Çelik, Esra - Uysal, Mesut - Taşdemir, Çağatay - Gümüş, Ömer Yunus. “Characterization of PLA–hemp Biocomposites Produced by Hot-Pressing”. Turkish Journal of Forestry 27 (October 1, 2026): 265-278. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.2016624.
JAMA
1.Çelik E, Uysal M, Taşdemir Ç, Gümüş ÖY. Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing. Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2026;27:265–278.
MLA
Çelik, Esra, et al. “Characterization of PLA–hemp Biocomposites Produced by Hot-Pressing”. Turkish Journal of Forestry, vol. 27, Oct. 2026, pp. 265-78, doi:10.18182/tjf.2016624.
Vancouver
1.Esra Çelik, Mesut Uysal, Çağatay Taşdemir, Ömer Yunus Gümüş. Characterization of PLA–hemp biocomposites produced by hot-pressing. Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2026 Oct. 1;27:265-78. doi:10.18182/tjf.2016624