Interface Modification and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber-Polyolefin Composite Products

Natural fibers are potentially a high-performance and non-abrasive reinforcing fiber source. In this study, mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) composites with various natural fibers such as old newsprint, kraft pulp and hemp were studied. The effect of a low-molecular weight, maleated type...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of reinforced plastics and composites 2005-01, Vol.24 (2), p.121-130
Main Authors: Sain, M., Suhara, P., Law, S., Bouilloux, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Composites
Coupling agents
Exact sciences and technology
Fibers
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Hemp
Kraft pulp
Mechanical properties
Optimization
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Polypropylenes
Reinforcing fibers
Technology of polymers
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Summary:Natural fibers are potentially a high-performance and non-abrasive reinforcing fiber source. In this study, mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) composites with various natural fibers such as old newsprint, kraft pulp and hemp were studied. The effect of a low-molecular weight, maleated type coupling agent, on the mechanical properties of these natural fiber-filled PP composites was also investigated and the results showed that this can be used as a good interface modifier for improving the strength properties of the PP-filled composites and the optimum level of the coupling agent was found to be around 3-4 percentage by weight of the composite. Kraft pulp and hemp fiber-filled composites showed better tensile, flexural and un-notched impact strength compared to the glass fiber-filled composites at the same fiber loading. Hybrid composite produced using 10 wt% of glass fiber and 30 wt% of hemp fiber showed only a marginal improvement in the mechanical properties.
ISSN:0731-6844
1530-7964
DOI:10.1177/0731684405041717