Studies on Cornstarch-filled Poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) Latex-reinforced Polyester Nonwoven Fabric Composites

Poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) latex is prepared with 70: 30 weight ratio of styrene to butyl acrylate. Various weight percentages of cornstarch have been incorporated into the prepared copolymer latex. Polyester nonwoven fabric-reinforced cornstarch – filled copolymer latex composites have been fabricated by the impregnation method. The latex to fabric pickup ratio maintained is 3.2: 1. Physicomechanical properties, percentage water absorption, and percentage thickness swelling of composites have been studied. The fabricated cornstarch-filled composites have been evaluated for its ability to retain the shape after it has been molded to the desired shape by measuring the percentage area shape retention, hardness, and resilience. It is observed that the fabricated thermoplastic composite specimens retained or increased the mechanical properties up to 20wt% cornstarch loading.