Kapok/cotton fabric-polypropylene composites

Kapok/cotton fabric has been used as reinforcement for conventional polypro pylene and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene resins. Treating the rein forcement with acetic anhydride and sodium hydroxide has modified the fabri c (fibres). Thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were invest igated. Results show that fibre modification gives a significant improvemen t to the thermal properties of the plant fibres, whereas tests on the mecha nical properties of the composites showed poor tensile strength. Mercerisat ion and weathering were found to impart toughness to the materials, with ac etylation showing slightly less rigidity compared to other treatments on ei ther the fibre or composites. The modified polypropylene improved the tensi le modulus and had the least toughness of the kapok/cotton reinforced compo sites. MAiPP reinforced with the plant fibres gave better flexural strength and the same flexural modulus at lower fibre content compared with glass f ibre reinforced MAiPP. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.