Publication: The effect of fiber pretreatment and compatibilizer on the tensile properties and water absorption behaviour of polypropylene-kenaf fiber composites
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Date
2009-05-01
Authors
Ramlee, Muhamad Amin
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Abstract
Recently, the incorporation of natural fibers as reinforcing agents or as a fillers in polymer composites has received an increased attention. This is due to attractive advantages such as high specific properties, biodegradable, low density, low cost and in abundant amount. However, there are main drawbacks which are the hydrophilicity of the natural fibers which results in high moisture absorption and weak adhesion to hydrophobic matrices. Therefore, fiber pretreatment and compatibilizer are considered in modifying the fiber surface properties although having a negative impact on the economics. In this research, the different fiber pretreatment were used including alkali, acetylation, hot solution of MAPP and in-situ process with MAPP. The modified kenaf fibers were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR revealed that the fiber surface chemistry was altered after the treatment and SEM shows removal of non-crystalline constituents. In case of tensile properties, the treated-fiber composite shows higher tensile strength than the untreated-fiber composite. The SEM on tensile fracture surface revealed that better interfacial adhesion occurs between the fiber and matrix for the treated-fiber composites. The effect of chemical modification on moisture uptake was also analyzed. Chemical modification was seen to reduce the water uptake in the composite. The diffusion coefficient was calculated and the mechanism of diffusion follows the Fickian theory. The results indicated a significant difference among different treatment and the acetylation treatment is the best method to reduce the water uptake of composite.