Effects of interfacial modification and fiber content on physical properties of sisal fiber/polypropylene composites

The effect of fiber surface modification by superheated steam (SHS) treatment and fiber content (30 to 50 wt.%) was evaluated relative to the mechanical, morphology, thermal, and water absorption properties of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF)/polypropylene (PP) biocomposites. SHS treatment of OPMF was conducted between 190 and 230 C for 1 h, then the SHS-treated fiber was subjected to melt-blending with PP for biocomposite production. The biocomposite prepared from SHS-OPMF treated at 210 C with 30 wt.% fiber loading resulted in SHS-OPMF/PP biocomposites with a tensile strength of 20.5 MPa, 25% higher than untreated-OPMF/PP biocomposites. A significant reduction of water absorption by 31% and an improved thermal stability by 8% at T5%degradation were also recorded. Scanning electron microscopy images of fractured SHS-OPMF/PP biocomposites exhibited less fiber pull-out, indicating that SHS treatment improved interfacial adhesion between fiber and PP. The results demonstrated SHS treatment is an effective surface modification method for biocomposite production.

Section: Effect Of Shs Treatment Temperature On the Properties Of Opmsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Effect Of Fiber Loading On the Mechanical Properties Of Opmfmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Superheated Steam Treatment of Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber Improved the Properties of Fiber-Polypropylene Biocomposite

Nordin¹,

Ariffin²,

Hassan³

et al. 2016

“…The fibers exhibit excellent flexibility and fatigue durability (Segerholm et al 2012;Kaewkuk et al 2013;Petchwattana and Covavisaruch 2013;Cavdar et al 2014;Li et al 2014;Ren et al 2015), which provide unique properties that include outstanding dimensional stability, water resistance, biological durability, and recyclability (Rangaraj and Smith 2000;Stark 2001). Currently, WPC are enthusiastically used in outdoor decking and landscaping, and in the near future, they are also expected to be used in a number of applications such as outdoor decoration, furniture, sports ground equipment, railing, and in the automobile industry (Clemons 2002;Geng and Laborie 2010;Crookston et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Torque Rheological Behavior of Wood Flour/Chitosan/Polyvinyl Chloride Composites

Xu¹,

Wang²,

Chen³

et al. 2015

Torque rheological properties of wood flour/chitosan/PVC (WF/CS/PVC) compounds were measured by a torque rheometer using roller-style rotating blades at various setting temperatures (175 and 185 °C) and rotation speeds (30, 45, 60, and 75 rpm). The torque rheological parameters were calculated based on the Marquez model and Arrhenius equation. The torque rheological curves of WF/CS/PVC composites were similar to WF/PVC composites without chitosan. The classical Marquez model was verified to be suitable for both WF/PVC and WF/CS/PVC composites. Specifically, the activation energy (ΔE), n value, and range of C(n)m for the former and latter were 27.698 kJ·mol -1 and 29.237 kJ·mol -1 , 0.382 and 0.381, and 4.415 to 5.749 N·m·s n and 4.652 to 6.079 N·m·s n , respectively. The rheological properties of WF/CS/PVC composites did not show a great qualitative enhancement compared to WF/PVC composites.

“…Natural wood fibers originating from wood, bamboo, hemp, sisal, and straw have been combined with thermoplastic resins, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to make novel wood-based composites, namely wood plastic composites (WPC) (Kaewkuk et al 2013;Cavdar et al 2014;Xue et al 2014;Malakani et al 2015;Yong et al 2015). Wood plastic composites are commonly substituted for traditional pressure-or dip-treated solid wood and conventional woodbased composites, such as plywood, particle board, and medium density fiberboard (MDF) for a wide array of applications (Verhey et al 2001;Fabiyi et al 2009;Ayrilmis 2013;Peng et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Algal Decay Resistance of Conventional and Novel Wood-Based Composites

Feng¹,

Xu²,

Shi³

et al. 2015

Measures of the resistance to algal decay of conventional (medium density fiberboard [MDF] and plywood) and novel wood-based composites (WPC) were investigated in the same or varying wood species by using an artificial accelerated test with four mixed algal suspensions (Chlorella vulgaris, Ulothrix sp., Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Oscillatoria sp.). The morphology characterization of the surface and fracture of the specimens was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a digital instrument. The pH value and the mass loss rate of the different wood species were also tested. The results showed that the algal resistance of the MDF and plywood were superior to that of the WPC of the same wood species. Furthermore, the algal resistance capacity of WPC made from various wood species were ranked as: Liquidambar formosana > Cunninghamia lanceolata and Melaleuca leucadendra > Ricinus communis > Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla and Pinus massoniana. There was a close relationship between the pH value and the algal resistance level; as the pH value increased, the alga resistance of the WPC also increased. The algal colonization only had a negative effect on the appearance of the samples.