BIOCOMPOSITES FROM ABACA STRANDS AND POLYPROPYLENE: EFFECT OF CHEMICAL TREATMENT BY STEARIC ACID
Unidirectional composites of polypropylene (PP), reinforced with abaca fiber was fabricated by compression molding with and without the presence of stearic acid (SA) as a coupling agent. Raw abaca fiber was utilized and four levels of filler loading (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) were used during compo...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Serbian Academic Center
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Applied Engineering Letters |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.aeletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AEL00197.pdf |
| Summary: | Unidirectional composites of polypropylene (PP), reinforced with abaca
fiber was fabricated by compression molding with and without the
presence of stearic acid (SA) as a coupling agent. Raw abaca fiber was
utilized and four levels of filler loading (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) were used
during composite manufacturing. Mechanical tests (tensile, bending and
impact properties) of the resultant composites were conducted. Based on
fiber loading, 30% fiber-reinforced composites had the optimum set of
mechanical properties. Optimized abaca fiber was chemically treated with
SA to increase its compatibility with the polymer matrix. SA treated abaca
fiber-reinforced composites yielded better mechanical properties
compared to the raw composites. In order to know more about the fibermatrix adhesion, scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the tensile
fractured samples showed improved adhesion between abaca and PP
matrix upon treatment with SA. Water uptake and simulating weathering
test of the composites were also investigated. |
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| ISSN: | 2466-4677 2466-4847 |