Rheological Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced PP Composites

Abstract

Abstract. Cellulose (CE), sawdust (SD) and wheat straw (WS) were subjected to triethoxysilane (AS) and methacriloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (MS), and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) to improve interfacial bonding with matrix. PP/fiber composites were prepared in a rheomixer equipped with two rotor blades and adjustable temperature, mixing rate and mixing time. Torque values of each composite formulation were recorded with respect to time to determine changes in rheological properties of composites. It was found that increase in fiber loading increases stabilization torque of composites. The extent of increase at 40wt% CE loading was about 11%. Silane treatments increased stabilization torque values up to 1 wt% silane treatment with respect to fiber weight, irrespective of the fiber employed due to increased interactions between fiber and matrix. MAPP treatment decreased stabilization torque due to plasticizing effect of MAPP.