Influence of maleated polypropylene on mechanical properties of composite made of viscose fiber and polypropylene

Summary: A lignocellulosic flour was obtained by grinding dried cladodes of Opuntia ficus‐indica. It was used as low cost natural filler in PP and the effect of the treatment of the filler with MAPP was also investigated. The morphology and thermal properties of these composites were evaluated by SEM and DSC, respectively. MAPP coating resulted in a better adhesion between the filler and the matrix and higher homogeneity of the material. A decrease of the degree of crystallinity of the PP matrix in presence of the untreated filler was observed. Dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile properties were also studied. High‐strain tensile properties display enhanced mechanical properties for MAPP treated‐based composites only. When conditioned in highly moist atmosphere (98% RH), both the water uptake and water diffusion coefficient decrease when the filler was treated. These effects were ascribed to the promoting interfacial adhesion induced by the coating treatment. In liquid water, this increased adhesion between the filler and the matrix results in a higher weight loss of the material. It is due to the removal of the grafted polymer from the material during the dissolution of part of the filler.SEMs of freshly fractured surface for a PP film filled with 10 wt.‐% of MAPP treated OFI cladode (top) and calcium oxalate crystallite within the PP matrix for a 3 wt.‐% filled composite (bottom).magnified imageSEMs of freshly fractured surface for a PP film filled with 10 wt.‐% of MAPP treated OFI cladode (top) and calcium oxalate crystallite within the PP matrix for a 3 wt.‐% filled composite (bottom).

Section: High Strain Behavior (Non Linear Conditions)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lignocellulosic Flour from Cladodes of Opuntia ficus‐indica Reinforced Poly(propylene) Composites

Malainine

Mahrouz

Dufresne

2004

“…[2][3][4][5][6] Small amounts of coupling agent can bring about a significant improvement of the mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced composites. [7] Bledzki and Faruk [6] reported that 5 wt.-% maleated poly(propylene) in 50 wt.-% wood fiber-filled poly(propylene) led to 65 and 50% increase of…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Coupling Agents on Melt Flow Behavior of Natural Fiber Composites

Hristov

Vlachopoulos

2007

The influence of coupling agents on the melt rheological properties of natural fiber composites has been investigated in this work using capillary and rotational rheometers. Scanning electron microscopy was also employed to supplement the rheological data. It was found that molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer matrix and coupling agent characteristics influence the filler wetting and the melt flow properties of the filled composites. Generally, low molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution polyethylene matrix provides relatively larger increase of the viscosity of the composites. Coupling agents tend to increase the resistance to shearing, but wall slip effects may interfere with the measured values, especially at very high filler loadings. Entrance pressure loss in capillaries is also influenced by polymer matrix and coupling agent used.magnified image

“…[2,3] Isotactic poly(propylene) (iPP) is commonly used as a matrix in wood flour based composites as it can be obtained inexpensively and is easily manufactured. [4,5] However, the problem is that the combination of the wood flour with an iPP matrix often leads to the composites having poor mechanical properties, especially tensile, impact strength and elongation at break. This can be Summary: This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation concerning the use of an ethylene butyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) terpolymer as an interfacial agent for isotactic poly(propylene)/wood flour (iPP/WF) composites at various filler ratios (10, 20 and 30 wt.-%).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethylene Butyl Acrylate Glycidyl Methacrylate Terpolymer as an Interfacial Agent for Isotactic Poly(propylene)/Wood Flour Composites

Kaci¹,

Cimmino²,

Silvestre³

et al. 2006

Summary: This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation concerning the use of an ethylene butyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) terpolymer as an interfacial agent for isotactic poly(propylene)/wood flour (iPP/WF) composites at various filler ratios (10, 20 and 30 wt.‐%). The effects of the EBAGMA terpolymer on the morphology, tensile properties, impact strength and water uptake of the iPP/WF composites were studied and the results were compared with those obtained with maleated poly(propylene) (MAPP) used as a compatibilizer. Initially, the mixing process was performed in a calendaring unit at 170 °C for pre‐homogenization of the filler in the matrix. Composites made out of these combinations were then ground and injected into a standard mold at 180 °C in the absence and the presence of compatibilizer. The results indicated that both EBAGMA terpolymer and MAPP improved the interactions between iPP and WF, and induced a better dispersion of wood particles in the polymer matrix, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, tensile properties and impact strength were also increased. Another important effect was on the water absorption property, which was significantly lower for the samples with EBAGMA and MAPP. However, EBAGMA terpolymer produced better enhancement of the properties of the iPP/WF composites compared to the compatibilized samples with MAPP.