RENEWABLE AGRICULTURAL FIBERS AS REINFORCING FILLERS IN PLASTICS - MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF KENAF FIBER-POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

Citation
Ar. Sanadi et al., RENEWABLE AGRICULTURAL FIBERS AS REINFORCING FILLERS IN PLASTICS - MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF KENAF FIBER-POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES, Industrial & engineering chemistry research, 34(5), 1995, pp. 1889-1896
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Engineering, Chemical
ISSN journal
08885885
Volume
34
Issue
5
Year of publication
1995
Pages
1889 - 1896
Database
ISI
SICI code
0888-5885(1995)34:5<1889:RAFARF>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannnabinus) is a fast growing annual growth plant tha t is harvested for its bast fibers. These fibers have excellent specif ic properties and have potential to be outstanding reinforcing fillers in plastics. In our experiments, the fibers and polypropylene (PP) we re blended in a thermokinetic mixer and then injection molded, with th e fiber weight fractions varying to 60%. A maleated polypropylene was used to improve the interaction and adhesion between the nonpolar matr ix and the polar lignocellulosic fibers. The specific tensile and flex ural moduli of a 50% by weight (39% by volume) of kenaf-PP composite c ompare favorably with a 40% by weight of glass fiber-PP injection-mold ed composite. These results suggest that kenaf fibers are a viable alt ernative to inorganic/mineral-based reinforcing fibers as long as the right processing conditions are used and they are used in applications where the higher water absorption is not critical.