A recyclability study of bagasse fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lila, Manish Kumar; Singhal, Arpit; Banwait, Sukhwant Singh; Singh, Inderdeep
• Is Part Of: Polymer degradation and stability. Volume 152(2018)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 279
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Natural fibers -- Recyclability -- Mechanical properties -- Surface roughness -- Crystallinity; Polymers -- Deterioration -- Periodicals; Stabilizing agents -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Dégradation -- Périodiques; Stabilisants -- Périodiques; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-3910

Abstract

Abstract: Natural fiber reinforced composites are gaining attention nowadays due to their low cost, biodegradable characteristics, lower density and comparable mechanical properties with synthetic fibers reinforced composites. As the recyclable properties of these composites are still not fully explored and this could be the reason that these are not much used in domestic and other applications to their full potential. In the current experimental investigation, the effects of mechanical recycling on the properties of bagasse fiber reinforced polypropylene composites have been studied. Tensile properties, crystallinity and aspect ratio exhibits an increase, while flexural properties decrease with each recycling step. No significant change in thermal behavior has been detected even after 5 cycles but a slight increase in the hardness has been observed. SEM images confirmed the change in aspect ratio due to crushing of fibers as well as fiber fracture became more dominant after each recycling step. Highlights: Performed mechanical recycling of bagasse fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. Analyzed the effects of recycling on surface roughness and mechanical properties. Increase in crystallinity and fiber's aspect ratio results in better tensile properties. Recycling exhibits insignificant change in thermal decomposition behavior of composites. Higher roughness and hardness of composites led to early crack generation under flexural load.