Sisal fibre/polypropylene composites modified with carboxyl terminated hyperbranched polymer. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, S R; Ling, R H; Luo, C X; Li, S R; Huang, B
• Is Part Of: Plastics, rubber, and composites. Volume 42:Number 9(2013)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 366
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Polypropylene -- Sisal fibre -- Hyperbranched -- Compatiliser -- Reinforce -- Composite; Plastics -- Periodicals; Rubber -- Periodicals; Polymeric composites -- Periodicals; Polymer engineering -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1179/1743289812Y.0000000040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-8011

Abstract

Abstract : In this study, polypropylene (PP)/sisal fibre (SF)/carboxyl terminated hyperbranched polymer (CTHP) composites were prepared by using short SF as the reinforcement, PP as the matrix and CTHP as a compatiliser. The impact fracture surface of PP/SF composites and the interfacial compatibility between PP and SF were analysed. Experimental results showed that the impact strength and flexural strength of PP/SF composites modified with the CTHP (2 wt-% of SF) were 21·5 and 9·7% higher than that of unmodified systems respectively. The SEM photomicrographs of the fracture surfaces have also shown that PP was highly bonded to the SF in the CTHP treated composites; wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurement indicated that the CTHP did not change the crystal structure of PP and was still a-type crystal. Moreover, the addition of a small amount of the CTHP was helpful to improve water resistance of SF/LGF/PP composites.