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Mechanical and thermal properties of polymer composite based on natural fibers: Moroccan hemp fibers/polypropylene

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 49; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.matdes.2013.01.063

0261-3069

A. Elkhaoulani, F.Z. Arrakhiz, K. Benmoussa, Rachid Bouhfid, Abou el kacem Qaiss,

Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites

Moroccan hemp is a cellulosic fiber obtained from the north of Morocco. Their use as reinforcement in thermoplastic matrix composite requires a knowledge of their morphology and structure. In this paper the Moroccan hemp fiber was alkali treated to remove waxes and noncellulosic surface components. Fiber/matrix adhesion was assured by the use of a styrene-(ethylene-butene)-styrene three-block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) as a compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile and torsional tests were carried out for hemp fibers polypropylene composite and the compatibilized composite at different fiber content. Thus, the binary composite PP/hemp fibers (Alk) and ternary system with maleic anhydride indicate clearly an improved adhesion of the fiber to the matrix as results of the good interaction at the interface. A gain of 50% on the Young’s modulus of PP/hemp 25 wt.% without coupling agent and 74% on the PP/hemp 20 wt.% composite with the coupling agent were found. Tensile strength curve shows a remarkable stabilization when the coupling agent was used.