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

• 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
• ISSN: 0731-6844; 1530-7964
• DOI: 10.1177/0731684405041717

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.