Processing, compatibilization and properties of ternary composites of Mater-Bi with polyolefins and hemp fibres

MD. MINHAZ-UL HAQUE; VERA ALVAREZ; MASSIMO PACI; MARIANO PRACELLA

COMPOSITES. PART A, APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2011 p. 2060 - 2069

1359-835X

Ternary composites of a biodegradable thermoplastic matrix, Mater-Bi (MB), with various polyolefins (PP, HDPE and PS) and hemp fibres (H) were obtained by melt mixing and characterized by SEM, OM, DSC, TGA and tensile tests. The properties of composites were compared with those of MB/polyolefin and MB/H blends. Maleic anhydride functionalized polyolefins were employed as compatibilizers. Crystallization behaviour and morphology of the composites were found to be affected by the composition, phase dispersion and compatibilizer. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal stability of the polyolefin phase and fibres was influenced by the composition and phase structure. A significant improvement of tensile modulus and strength was recorded for composites of MB with PE and PS as compared to MB/H composites. The results indicate that incorporation of polyolefins in the biodegradable matrix, compared to binary matrix/fibre system, may have significant advantages in terms of properties, processability and cost.