Palm fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were manufactured using a single extruder and an injection molding machine. Raw palm fiber was chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt to increase its compatibility with the polymer matrix. Both raw and treated palm was utilized and six levels of filler loading (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 wt%) were used during composite manufacturing. Microstructural analysis (scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and mechanical testing (tensile, flexural, impact, hardness) were conducted. Treated palm fiber reinforced composites showed better mechanical properties compared to the raw ones. Among all composites, 30% fiber-reinforced ones had the optimum set of mechanical properties.
Coir and abaca fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites were manufactured using a single extruder and an injection molding machine. Raw coir and abaca were chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt. Both raw and treated coir and abaca fibers at level of fiber loading (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) were utilized during composite manufacturing. Mechanical tests of the resultant composites and PP were conducted. A comparison has been made between the mechanical properties of the coir and abaca fiber-reinforced composites. Chemically treated fiber-reinforced specimens yielded better mechanical properties compared to the raw composites, while coir fiber composites had better mechanical properties than abaca fiber reinforced ones. Based on fiber loading, 30% fiber-reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties.
Jute fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were manufactured using a single extruder and an injection molding machine. Raw jute fiber was oxidized and manufactured composites were post-treated with urea to increase the compatibility of the jute fiber with the polypropylene matrix. Both raw and oxidized jute fiber was utilized and four levels of fiber loading (20, 25, 30, and 35 wt%) was used during composite manufacturing. Microstructural analysis (scanning electron microscopy) and mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, and water absorption) were conducted. Post-treated jute fiber reinforced specimens yielded better mechanical properties compared to the oxidized and raw ones. Based on fiber loading, 30% fiber reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties. Authors propose that the bonding between the polypropylene matrix and urea treated jute fiber must be increased in order to have improved mechanical properties at higher fiber content.
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