Study of polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer blends reinforced with sisal fibers

Abstract

Thermoplastics reinforced with natural fibers have attracted much attention from researchers because of their advantages, especially regarding environmental aspects. However, poor impact strength, particularly at low temperatures, limits the application of some thermoplastics, such as polypropylene (PP). To minimize this drawback, impact modifiers have been used, including the terpolymer of ethylene‐propylene‐diene (EPDM). In this work, PP/EPDM/sisal composites of distinct compositions were investigated focusing on the effect of the alkali (NaOH) treatment of the vegetable fiber on the composites properties regarding physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior. The results indicated that flow rate decreases at higher fiber content due to flow hindering by the presence of the fibers. The addition of the fiber, in general, increased Young's modulus and strength (tensile and flexural), whereas impact strength increased for higher EPDM content. The alkali treatment was considered generally efficient in terms of mechanical properties, even though this was not found in the dynamic mechanical analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Maleic anhydride grafted linear low‐density polyethylene/waste paper powder composites with superior mechanical behavior

“…This could be attributed to the rigid nature of the fibers that may affect the melt flowability of the polymer melt. Similar trend is also reported in various literature where the presence of rigid fillers hinders the flow and consequently increases viscosity …”

Study of Composites Produced with Recovered Polypropylene and Piassava Fiber

“…Figure 2 shows the results of melt flow index for the PPr and the PPr-based composites. According to the literature 15,16 , the higher the amount of fiber embedded in the matrix, the lower the MFI since the presence of fibers hinders the flow and consequently increases viscosity. This trend was also observed in this work when comparing the 80/10/10, 70/10/20 and 60/10/30 samples, or the 100/0/0 and 80/0/20 samples.…”

Creep and interfacial behavior of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy filament wound laminates

“…It is noted that peak height varies in accordance to the storage modulus, and the higher the drop in storage modulus above the glassy region, the higher the loss modulus peak. This results in similar tan delta curve shapes .…”

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