Investigating polypropylene–green coconut fiber composites in the molten and solid states through various techniques

Abstract

A series of polypropylene (PP)-green coconut fiber (GCF) composites were prepared by melt mixing and their properties studied in the molten state using an advanced nonlinear harmonic testing technique, and in the solid state using standard mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of fiber loading as well as the role of maleated polypropylene as compatibilizing agent was investigated. PP-GCF composites are heterogeneous materials that, in the molten state, are found to exhibit essentially a nonlinear viscoelastic character, in contrast with the pure PP, which has a linear viscoelastic region up to 50 -60% strain. Complex modulus increases with GCF content but in such a manner that the observed reinforcement is at best of hydrodynamic origin, without any specific chemical interaction occurring between the polymer matrix and the fibers. The addition of maleated polypropylene improves the wetting of fibers by the molten polymer but the effect is so small that specific chemical reactions could hardly be considered as occurring. Flexural modulus data confirm the reinforcing effects of the fiber and an improvement is noted when some maleated polypropylene is used, with an optimum level of around 1% (or the PP content). SEM microphotographs clearly show that maleated polypropylene imparts a better wetting of GC fibers by PP, but chemical interactions are unlikely to occur between the polymer and GCF.

Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial and mechanical properties of coir fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) biodegradable composites

“…Its total value is estimated at $100 million. Hence, the research and development efforts have been underway to find new utilization of coir as a reinforcement in polymer composites, such as coir-polypropylene and coir based polyester green composites [15][16][17][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Studies on Properties of Egg Shell and Fish Bone Powder Filled Polypropylene

“…In the literature, different materials have been studied to fill polypropylene. These materials include saw dust [7], wood flour [8], flax fibre [9], hemp strands [10], flax pulps [11], lyocell fibre [12], green-coconut fibre [13], montmorillonite [14,15], calcium carbonate [16,17], magnesium hy-droxide [18], and snail shell powder [19].…”

The Effects of Filler Contents and Particle Sizes on the Mechanical and End-Use Properties of Snail Shell Powder Filled Polypropylene

“…Different filler materials have been studied for making polypropylene composites. These materials included wood, kenaf and sage fibres [8], saw dust [9], flax [10], hemp strand [11], green coconut fibre [12], and organo-montmorillonite [13]. Thus, Fan et al [14] who Filled Polypropylene studied polypropylene-montmorillonite nanocomposites reported a decrease in modulus and tensile strength of the composites with increasing clay content.…”