Study of effect of old corrugated cardboard in properties of polypropylene composites: Study of mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and morphological properties

Abstract

The investigation of the economical use of lignocellulose waste, which is one of the environmental problems facing nations, is ongoing. In this study, waste cardboard paper fiber reinforcing polypropylene (PP) composites was developed. In order to modify the PP matrix maleated PP (MA‐g‐PP) a 5 wt% and a grafting rate of 1 and 2 wt% was used as a compatibilizer. The effects of fiber and compatibilizer content as well as graft content are evaluated by mechanical, thermal property measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The compatibilizer improved all mechanical properties significantly. Thus, the tensile strength of MA‐g‐PP‐containing composites increases compared to PP/cardboard composites paper content increases. However, the tensile modulus of a PP‐based composite increases with an increase in paper fiber with the compatibilizer having little effect. SEM revealed that the addition of MA‐g‐PP generates strong interactions between a PP matrix and paper fibers. However, the addition of the MA‐g‐PP compatibilizing agent gives a significant improvement on the crystallization of the composites, whereas the compatibilized PP/old corrugated cardboard (OCC) composites have higher crystallinity (Xc) than uncompatibilized PP/OCC composites. The MA‐g‐PP also diminished the water absorption in the composites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:231–238, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Different compatibility approaches to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of EVA/starch composites

“…Similar trend is also observed for the whole composite materials, irrespective of their starch content. Therefore, the addition of starch imparts stiffer behavior to EVA, in agreement with the literature [47,48]. In fact, a good interfacial adhesion between the polymeric matrix and the filler is important for controlling the mechanical properties of the composites as the stress transfer is determined by the interfacial properties.…”

Sustainable Green Hybrids of Polyolefins and Lignin Yield Major Improvements in Mechanical Properties When Prepared via Solid-State Shear Pulverization

“…64−66 Recently, SSSP has also been used to produce green polymer composites with fillers and nanofillers based on agricultural and municipal sources, e.g., rice husk ask, soy flour, eggshells, and cellulose nanocrystals. 13,[17][18][19]67 Here, we employ SSSP for the production of sustainable hybrids of LDPE and PP with 5−30 wt % kraft lignin and perform morphological, mechanical, crystallization, thermal degradation, and rheological characterization. To demonstrate the efficacy of SSSP in achieving superior filler dispersion and material properties, comparisons are drawn to literature studies that have produced related composites by melt processing.…”

“…There has been scientific and commercial interest in producing green polymer composites using natural fibers, such as coir, jute, sisal, hemp, flax, etc., for decades. − Synthetic organic fillers derived from nature (often after chemical modification) have also been the subject of considerable focus in producing polymer hybrids; such fillers include cellulose nanocrystals, microcrystalline cellulose, and starch. − Economic and environmental factors have provoked renewed interest in producing green hybrids with organic and inorganic fillers without chemical modification; such fillers are based on waste materials or byproducts from agricultural or municipal sources such as rice husk ash, eggshell, cardboard, and wood flour. − In addition to the benefit of sustainability, lignocellulosic fillers in thermoplastics offer other advantages, e.g., biodegradability, increased stiffness, low abrasion to equipment, and low density. , However, incorporation of such fillers has led to inferior material properties including major reductions in ultimate strength and elongation at break and increase in moisture absorption. Degradation and viscosity increases are challenges commonly encountered with these fillers during processing …”

“…This process has been used to fabricate in situ compatibilized immiscible blends and quasi-nanostructured immiscible blends. − In addition, well-mixed thermodynamically compatible blends of polyethylene and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene have been produced by SSSP, overcoming the issue of extraordinary viscosity mismatch when attempts at mixing are done via melt processing . SSSP can also be used to achieve excellent dispersion and exfoliation of commercial carbon-based nanofillers from bundled carbon nanotubes to graphite. − The near-ambient temperature conditions of SSSP have facilitated maleic anhydride or ester functionalization of PP and the production of branched PP without large molecular weight reduction that typically accompanies postpolymerization modification by melt processing. − Recently, SSSP has also been used to produce green polymer composites with fillers and nanofillers based on agricultural and municipal sources, e.g., rice husk ask, soy flour, eggshells, and cellulose nanocrystals. ,− , …”

Investigation of Strength and Migration of Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

“…Corrugated cardboards have a high stiffness/weight ratio. Compared to other packaging materials, it delivers relatively high stiffness at a relatively low price [3] [4]. As a packaging material, corrugated cardboards have a lot of advantages over plastic packaging materials.…”