TY - JOUR A1 - Wagner, Jan A1 - Dudziak, Mateusz A1 - Falkenhagen, Jana A1 - Rockel, Daniel A1 - Reimann, H.-A A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - This is the way: An evidence based route to phytic-acid–based flame retardant poly(lactide acid) N2 - A systematic sequence of materials was investigated to develop phytic-acid (Phyt)–based flame retarded poly (lactide acid) (PLA), while factoring in molecular weight (MW), crystallinity and mechanical properties. Synergistic approaches were developed based on combinations with lignin and expandable graphite (EG), as well as by applying different Phyt salts of melamine (Mel), piperazine (Pip), and arginine (Arg). Compounds were twin screw extruded, injection molded, hot pressed and investigated with thermal analysis, size exclusion chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing, limited oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, cone calorimeter, and scanning electron microscope. 16.7 wt.% flame retardant (FR) slightly enhances crystallization while MW remains unchanged in PLA Phyt Arg and PLA Phyt Mel. LOI was improved to 43.7 vol.% for PLA Phyt Arg, UL 94 V0 achieved for PLA Phyt Pip. Cone calorimeter results show total heat evolved reduced by 14 %, maximum average rate of heat emission 43 % lower, and peak heat release rate reduced by 50 % for PLA Phyt Mel. Phyt Mel combined with EG increased the char yield of PLA to 20 wt.% and 15.5 wt.% at 600 and 900 ◦C, respectively. Phyt is exploited to enhance char yield, stabilize the intumescent char, and lower the apparent effective heat of combustion. The combination of Phyt Mel and EG was proposed as an efficient FR for PLA via an evidence based developing route. KW - Polylactide acid KW - Intumescent flame retardant KW - Phosphorous flame retardant KW - Phytic acid KW - Expandable graphite KW - Melamine PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-626395 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111242 SN - 1873-2321 SN - 0141-3910 VL - 234 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-62639 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wagner, Jan A1 - Häfner, P. A1 - Reimann, H.-A. A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - Valorization of Natural Fibers in Flame Retarded Poly(lactic acid) N2 - Extensive research has explored natural fiber reinforced composites, typically focusing on a single fiber within a polymer matrix. Comprehensive comparisons across different natural fibers in the same polymer, which are critical for industrial material selection, remain limited. This work presents a systematic comparison of untreated hemp, flax, and sisal fibers incorporated at varying fiber lengths and loadings into flame retarded poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Fire behavior, thermal, and mechanical responses were investigated through thermogravimetry, UL 94, and cone calorimetry, alongside crystallinity, molecular weight (MW), and microstructural analysis. Fiber incorporation reduced the peak heat release rate (pHRR) by up to 30 % in 30 wt% hemp, attributed to protective layer formation, but increased flammability in UL 94. A phytic acid melamine salt combined with expandable graphite and 20 wt% hemp produced incomplete combustion at 50 kW/m², raising char residue from 4 to 24 wt% and halving pHRR. Petrella plots revealed that fiber addition alone lowered fire load and flashover propensity as effectively as phytic acid melamine; with hemp, phytic acid and expendable graphite, the flashover hazard and fire load were halved. MW was preserved while crystallinity and modulus increased with fiber content. Hemp delivered the most consistent reinforcement, while optimized processing enabled flax and sisal to improve stiffness. Performance gains were strongest when individual fibers were dispersed via optimized processing, preventing bundle fracture under load. Plasma modification of the fibers improved the maximum tensile strength in the composites. A practical guide is provided for valorizing natural fibers in PLA composites, demonstrating routes to bio-based, compostable materials with improved fire safety and mechanical performance suitable for industrial processing. KW - Poly(lactic acid) KW - Hemp KW - Sisal KW - Flax KW - Flame retardant KW - Phytic acid PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-653038 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.114575 SN - 2352-4928 VL - 50 SP - 1 EP - 41 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-65303 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -