A plant fiber reinforced polymer composite prepared by a twin-screw extruder

作者：Sui G; Fuqua M A; Ulven C A; Zhong W H^*

来源：Bioresource Technology, 2009, 100(3): 1246-1251.

DOI：10.1016/j.biortech.2008.03.065

• Sunflower
• Composites
• Crystallization
• Flexural properties

Polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced using a novel plant fiber, sunflower hull sanding dust (SHSD), were prepared using a twin-screw extruder. Thermal and mechanical properties of the SHSD/PP composites were characterized and compared to an organically modified clay (organo-clay)/PP composite. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that the crystallization temperature and the degree of crystallinity of PP exhibited changes with addition of SHSD and organo-clay. Mechanical properties of the PP were enhanced with the addition of SHSDs. Both the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the PP composites containing 5% (w/w) SHSD were comparable to that of the 5% (w/w) organo-clay reinforced PP. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that no obvious agglomeration of SHSD existed in the PP matrix. Compared to the neat PP and organo-clay/PP, the SHSD/PP composites exhibited a relatively decreasing rate of thermal degradation with increase in temperature. Experimental results suggest that SHSD. as a sunflower processing byproduct. may find promising applications in composite materials.

• 出版日期2009-2
• 单位北京化工大学