Short ramie fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites without and with maleic anhydride (MA)
were developed. The influence of PLA-g-MA as a compatibilizer on the properties of the composites was
studied. The tensile, flexural and impact strength of the composites have improvements with the addition
of PLA-g-MA. The morphology of fracture surface evaluated by SEM indicates that the composites with
the addition of PLA-g-MA can get better adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. And the Vicat softening
temperature and the degradation temperature of the composites are increased with the addition of
PLA-g-MA. However, PLA-g-MA leads the glass transition temperature (Tg) decrease according to the DSC
results