Effect of fiber content and surface treatment on the mechanical properties of natural fiber composites produced by rotomolding |
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Authors: | Erick O. Cisneros-López Martín E. González-López Aida A. Pérez-Fonseca Rubén González-Núñez Denis Rodrigue |
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Affiliation: | 1. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico;2. Departamento de Madera, Celulosa y Papel, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico;3. Department of Chemical Engineering and CERMA, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada |
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Abstract: | In this study, natural fibers (agave, coir, and pine) were surface treated with maleated polyethylene (MAPE) with two main objectives: (1) to improve the mechanical properties of natural fiber composites produced by rotational molding and (2) to increase the fiber content in the composite. The rotomolded composites were produced at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% wt. of fiber contents (treated or untreated) and characterized in terms of morphology and mechanical properties (hardness, impact, tension, and flexion). The results showed that MAPE surface treatment was more successful for agave and coir than for pine fibers due to their respective chemical composition. In general, surface treatment led to better fiber distribution and a more uniform composite morphology allowing the possibility to use higher fiber contents in rotational molding. At low fiber contents (10 and 20% wt.), the mechanical properties were improved using treated fiber composites (TFC) compared to the neat polymer and untreated fiber composites (UFC). Although the mechanical properties of TFC decreased at high fiber contents (30 and 40% wt.), they were substantially higher (about 160, 400, and 100% for impact, tensile, and flexural properties, respectively) than for UFC. |
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Keywords: | Polyethylene natural fiber composite surface treatment mechanical properties rotational molding |
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