Preparation, structure, and properties of the coir fiber/polypropylene composites

Abstract

Coir fiber-reinforced polypropylene-based unidirectional composites were prepared by compression molding. Mechanical properties like tensile strength, tensile modulus and impact strength of the resulting composites were found to be increasing with increase in the loading of coir fibers, reached an optimum and thereafter decreased with further increase in fiber loading. Based on fiber loading, 30 wt% fiber-reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties. After alkali treatment of coir fiber, tetramethoxy orthosilicate treatment was conducted to promote adhesion between coir fiber and polypropylene matrix. Treatment of the coir fiber with tetramethoxy orthosilicate after the alkali pre-treatment enhanced the mechanical properties and water desorption of the resultant composites, resulting from the improved adhesion between the coir fiber and polypropylene matrix. These results were also confirmed by the scanning electron microscope observations of tensile fracture surfaces of coir fiber/polypropylene composites. The interfacial shear strength of the composites was also measured using a single-fiber fragmentation test and a microbond test.

Preparation and evaluation mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of hybrid jute and coir fibers reinforced bio-composites using poly-lactic acid and poly-caprolactone blends

“…The result of jute and coir fibers reinforced PLA biocomposites impact strength displayed in Figure 4. The jute and coir fibers reinforced PLA biocomposites revealed considerable improvements from the impact strength compared to pure PLA, which gradually increase with fiber loading according to previous investigations [39,40]. Alkali and silane treatment washes out impurities by activating the surface and leaves the roughness with several pits onto the fiber surface, which leads better interfacial adhesion within the reinforced matrix and fibers consequence improved impact strength of biocomposites [16,41].…”

Effect of Alkaline Treatment on Structural Characterisation, Thermal Degradation and Water Absorption Ability of Coir Fibre Polymer Composites

“…Mechanical interlocking of the exposed crystalline cellulose in the NaOH-treated coir fibre to the epoxy resin led to better fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion in the NaOHtreated coir fibre composites. Moreover, the removal of the hydroxyl groups in the NaOH-treated coir fibres reduces its hydrophilic nature and provides better compatibility of fibre to the matrix (Akhtar et al 2016;Brígida et al 2010;Kabir et al 2012;Li et al 2007;Punyamurthy et al 2017;Zaman & Beg 2014). In order to confirm the removal of the amorphous non-cellulose constituents from the coir fibres, FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the structural changes in the coir fibres surface before and after alkaline treatment.…”

“…Natural fibres such as coir, palm, flax, hemp, kenaf, and jute has gain extensive research interest (Akhtar et al 2016;Amiri et al 2015;Oushabi et al 2017;Sair et al 2018;Zhang et al 2017). Among different types of natural fibres, coir fibre is widely used as it is abundantly available, cheap, and possesses good mechanical and thermal properties (Brígida et al 2010;Haque et al 2012;Zaman & Beg 2014). Thermoset and thermoplastic polymers are the most common matrices use in natural fibre composites as they are lightweight and can be processed at low temperature.…”

Dynamic Mechanical Behaviour of Coir and Coconut Husk Particulate Reinforced Polymer Composites: The Effect of Exposure to Acidic Environment

“…Among the natural fibers, it is pertinent to note that coir is essentially utilized in view of its low cost, durability among other advantages [8]. Coir has been accounted for as having the highest extension at break among common natural fibers, which allows it absorb strain more than other fibers [9][10][11].…”