Wool fibres functionalised with a silane-based coupling agent for reinforced polypropylene composites

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP)-based composites containing 20 wt.% wool fibres were successfully prepared using a simple melt blending procedure. A blend of a commercial-grade PP and a maleinised PP was chosen as the matrix. To investigate the effects of modifying the fibre surface on the fibre/matrix adhesion, wool fibres were used as received, oxidised, or functionalised with a silane-based coupling agent, capable in principle of reacting with both the fibres and the polyolefinic matrix. The silanisation of the fibres and the consequent surface modifications were assessed using infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The resulting PP-based composites were thoroughly characterised in terms of their morphology, thermal stability and mechanical behaviour

Re‐treated nanocellulose whiskers alongside a polyolefin elastomer to toughen and improve polypropylene composites

“…Figure (d) suggests that nanofiber whiskers with a certain aspect ratio formed a three‐dimensional network structure in which the whiskers were surrounded by voids; this indicated the presence of elastomers with a certain thickness. Similar structures have been reported in the literature . Combined with the FTIR spectroscopy of the POE–NCWs, this further demonstrated that the POE–NCWs could form a high‐intensity interfacial layer with an elastomeric matrix by covalently linking the elastomeric flexible long‐chain molecules to effectively prevent separation from the elastomeric matrix in the melting process, even under extremely high temperatures and larger shear forces.…”

“…Now, several studies of NCWs reinforcing PP have appeared in the literature . We developed a unique way to re‐treat NCWs and also successfully blended them with PP to improve their properties.…”

Effects of wool fibres, ammonium polyphosphate and polymer viscosity on the flammability and mechanical performance of PP/wool composites

“…Cross-linking and dehydration tendency of sulphur-containing amino acids in wool can improve char formation under combustion, making wool fibres not melting and dripping [8]. Recently, some researchers have investigated the fabrication and properties of wool based thermoplastic composites [9,10] but the reported mechanical properties, especially tensile strengths, have been poor compared to those of neat PPs. To overcome this problem, the authors have performed a systematic study on PP-wool composites [11,12] and have succeeded in achieving improved mechanical properties.…”

Polypropylene reinforced with nanocrystalline cellulose: Coupling agent optimization

“…However, a great challenge regarding its use in the plastics industry is the fact that most resins, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are nonpolar (hydrophobic), while NCC is highly polar (hydrophilic) thus leading to compatibility problems . To improve compatibility between NCC and nonpolar polymers, different methods such as surface modification, polymer grafting, surfactants, and coupling agents have been studied. Although some studies on PP‐NCC nanocomposites can be found in the literature none of them used extrusion (melt blending) to compound their materials.…”

“…To improve compatibility between NCC and nonpolar polymers, different methods such as surface modification, polymer grafting, surfactants, and coupling agents have been studied. Although some studies on PP‐NCC nanocomposites can be found in the literature none of them used extrusion (melt blending) to compound their materials. Extrusion of nanocomposites is very important since PP is most commonly processed and compounded via extrusion.…”