Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Composites by Co-polymerized Thermoplastics

공중합된 열가소성 수지에 의한 자연섬유 복합재의 기계적 물성에 관한 연구

In this study, composites with polypropylene(PP) and Jute fiber were prepared by compression molding technique. Generally, hydrophilic jute fibers do not adhere well to PP, which is hydrophobic. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene(MAPP) had been widely used as a coupling agent to improve the bonding between ligno-cellulosic fibers and PP. The coupling agent improved the tensile and flexural properties when the mechanical properties were tested by using a UTM. The mechanical properties of natural fiber composites(NFCs) by modified thermoplastics were higher than those of NFCs by unmodified thermoplastics. Fracture surfaces of the composites and the fiber orientations were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical performance of NFCs by modified thermoplastics appeared to be improved by the enhanced interface adhesion between the fiber and the matrix.