Plasma Treatment ofAgaveFiber Powder and Its Effect on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Composites Based on Polyethylene

Abstract

Composites based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared withAgavefiber powder (AFP) that was coated by plasma polymerization process using ethylene gas. Treated and pristine AFP were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact water angle for the assessment of surface properties. The polymer composites were prepared by melt mixing using 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt% of AFP and their mechanical and thermal properties were measured. Dispersion evaluation in water confirmed that the AFP treated changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic behavior and it was also corroborated with water contact angle tests. The addition of treated and untreated AFP (200 mesh) at 20 wt% promotes an increase of Young’s modulus of the composites of up to 60% and 32%, respectively, in relation to the neat matrix. Also, an increase of crystallinity of LDPE was observed by the addition of treated and untreated AFP; however no significant effect on the crystallization temperature was observed in LDPE containing AFP.

Study of Agave Fiber-Reinforced Biocomposite Films

“…Several fiber pretreatment methods, including chemical treatment (alkali, maleated polyethylene, acid, methyl methacrylate), and plasma treatment, have been reported to improve the agave fiber reinforcement effect [6,12,16,17,18]. Alternatively, whether the raw fiber could enhance the mechanical properties of polymers as fillers effectively is also of interest, especially in the automobile manufacturing enterprise.…”

Biopolymer composites based on ultrasound/plasma‐modified fiber waste and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT): Physicochemical and functional performance

“…[12][13][14] Dual treatments like cold plasma and ultrasound are alternative physical treatments that change the structural properties of Agave fibers from hydrophilic to hydrophobic since the treatments alter the structure of the lignocellulosic components, reducing moisture absorption. 15,16 Furthermore, their effect on the functional properties of starch-based films has been inspected, finding that the ultrasound/plasma-modified AF improved the mechanical interlocking and water barrier performance of the films. 17 Nevertheless, the effect of these modified AF has only been explored in a starch matrix at the laboratory level using the casting method, and there is no current evidence of their performance at the pilot plant scale with a hydrophobic degradable matrix.…”

Properties of agave fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites

“…The study concluded that composites reinforced with treated fibers exhibited slightly higher tensile, compression, flexural and impact strength than composites reinforced with raw fibers. When maleated polyethylene (MAPE) was used as the matrix and dry-blended with agave fibers, an increase in several mechanical properties (impact, tensile and flexural strength and tensile and flexural modulus) was reported[84,85]. Corral et al[86] investigated plasma treatment to improve adhesion between agave fiber powder and polyethylene matrix, reporting an increase of 21.7% in Young's modulus over composites with untreated filler.…”