Thermomechanical, water absorption, ultraviolet resistance and laser‐assisted electroless plating behavior of Cu₂O and melamine–formaldehyde‐coated sisal fiber‐modified poly(lactic acid) composites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Cu₂O composites and melamine–formaldehyde‐coated sisal fibers (MF‐sisal fibers) modified PLA/Cu₂O hybrid composites were prepared. The effect of Cu₂O and MF‐sisal fibers on the tensile properties, fracture morphology, crystallinity, thermal and electrical conductivity, thermal stability, water absorption, UV resistance, and laser‐assisted metallization by electroless plating were systematically studied. The addition of MF‐sisal fibers recompensed the tensile properties (strength and elongation at break [EB]) and thermal stability of the PLA/Cu₂O composites. The crystallinity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity of the PLA matrix marginally increased in the presence of Cu₂O and MF‐sisal fibers. The water absorption was reduced for the PLA/Cu₂O composites but increased for the MF‐sisal fibers modified PLA/Cu₂O hybrid composites due to the presence of free hydroxyl groups present in the MF‐sisal fibers. The presence of Cu₂O obstructed the UV transmission through the PLA composites and hybrid composites, clearly showing the UV shielding efficiency of the Cu₂O particles. The samples were irradiated with fiber pulse laser for metallization by electroless plating. The SEM micrographs of the irradiated samples revealed an increase in surface roughness with increasing fluence. Further, Talysurf series 2 was used to quantify the roughness of the irradiated composites. Finally, the laser treated samples were selectively metallized by electroless plating. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3264–3274, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers