A novel natural fiber from plane tree (Platanus orientalis L.) fruits to reinforce polypropylene composites

Abstract

This study investigated the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with short natural fibers obtained from plane tree ( Platanus orientalis L.) fruits. The fibers were harvested from the fruits that naturally fell from the tree in their standard length of about 6 mm. Composites were produced via melt blending using varied concentrations of the fibers (5–10–20–30 wt.%) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) copolymer as the coupling agent. The mechanical properties of the composites were characterized by tensile test, flexural test, dynamic mechanic analysis and ball-on-disc sliding wear test. The findings revealed that the fibers had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the polypropylene matrix and the properties were found to improve linearly with increasing fiber concentration. At a 30 wt.% fiber concentration, the tensile and flexural strengths increased about 28% and 36% compared to pure polypropylene, respectively. At this fiber concentration, the modulus doubled compared to the pristine polymer. This increase is higher than that reported for most other natural fibers. Good miscibility between fibers and matrix, enhanced thermal stability, and about 30% reduction in friction coefficients were found. As a result, PTFs have the potential to be used in industries such as automotive, construction and sports which require mechanical strength and low weight.

Extraction of Lightweight Platanus orientalis L. Fruit’s Stem Fiber and Determination of Its Mechanical and Physico-Chemical Properties and Potential of Its Use in Composites

“…The plane tree is a large deciduous tree with a very thick and short trunk that spreads thick and long branches upward and to the sides. It grows to a height of about 30–50 m and a diameter of 1–2.5 m [ 1 , 2 ]. Older trunks have deeply fractured bark that is covered in tiny scales that do not fall off over time.…”

“…Some other studies reported on the creation of a dye removal adsorbent and solar evaporator by utilizing 3D spherical carbonized fibers and fruits [ 13 , 14 ]. By using short natural fibers from plane tree ( Platanus orientalis L.) fruits, Atabek Savas 2022 [ 2 ] examined the mechanical characteristics of polypropylene composites. Moreover, it is possible to utilize numerical methods to evaluate the mechanical performance of the new extracted fibers in the literature [ 15 ] instead of time-consuming and expensive experimental techniques.…”

“…Every year, a single Platanus tree produces 300 spherical fruits and, accordingly, stem fibers on average. These fruits’ stems are typically disposed of as waste in the environment and as potential sources of allergies for vulnerable groups [ 2 , 40 ]. Vast amounts of plane tree fruits have been scrapped as bio-waste material, despite the fact that plane trees can be grown anywhere in the world and used for a variety of purposes (furniture, flooring, medicine, printing, the greening of streets and gardens, etc.).…”

Accelerated aging of polymer composite from Pennisetum purpureum fibers with recycled low-density polyethylene

“…Natural fibers have been largely studied as reinforcement in polymer composites. [1][2][3][4] Advantages related to the wide variety of plants that can provide fiber, renewable and environmentally friendly source of raw material, low cost for production and acceptable reinforcing properties for polymer composites can explain this trend. 5,6 Elephant grass or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum schum) is a plant originated from the African continent with fast growth, which can be found throughout the Brazilian territory.…”