PHYSICAL-CHEMISTRY OF THE INTERFACE IN POLYPROPYLENE CELLULOSIC-FIBERCOMPOSITES/

The aim of the present study is to optimize polypropylene/cellulosic-f ibre composites. Two fibre treatments have been rested. The first is t reatment G1 creating a continuous chemical bond between the fibres and the matrix; the grafting of a polypropylene chain by an ester bond ca pable of co-crystallizing or entangling with the matrix. The second is a compatibilizing treatment G2; the grafting of a small aliphatic cha in bonded to the fibre by a urethane bond. Treatment G1 improves the r upture initiation strength, while treatment G2 improves the crack prop agation strength. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited