Natural fiber composites consisted of homopolymer polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene, and coconut fibers were produced by co-rotating twin screw extruder. The mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the polypropylene composites were determined by uniaxial tensile, impact, and flexural tests; thermogravimetric analysis; and differential scanning calorimetry. The dispersion of the coconut fibers in the polypropylene was studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the increase in coconut fiber led to an increase in brittleness and stiffness of the polypropylene composites. The addition of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene content to polypropylene matrix contributed to the increase in tensile strength of the related composites compared to neat polypropylene.
The purpose of this study is to develop polymer composite masterbatches by using poly(lactic) acid as a carrier resin and bamboo charcoal particle as a natural pigment. Moreover, antioxidant and dispersing agent were added to the masterbatches where the antioxidant improves thermal and ultraviolent stability of pigment masterbatches while dispersing agent enhances the distribution and dispersion of bamboo charcoal particles in the polymer matrix. The natural pigment masterbatches were diluted in the poly(lactic) acid matrix. The morphology, thermal property, and rheological properties of bamboo charcoal particles/poly(lactic) acid composites comparing before and after weathering tests are studied. It was concluded that natural pigment charcoal masterbatches can make good bamboo charcoal particles/poly(lactic) acid composites for high-temperature food packaging applications.
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