Effect of chemical treatment and processing conditions on the mechanical properties of starch based matrices reinforced with natural fibres

VIVIANA P CYRAS; VERA A. ALVAREZ; ANALIA VAZQUEZ

Bahía San Salvador Brasil

Congreso; International Conference on Natural Fibres 2009; 2009

FAO

This  article concerns to the effect of the chemical treatment and the processing conditions on the mechanical properties of composites from starch based matrices and natural fibers.  The physical properties of natural fibers are mainly determined by: structure of fibers, cellulose content, angle of fibrils, cross-section, etc. These physical properties can be modified by chemical treatments. The influence of such treatments on the creep, quasi-static, and impact behavior of natural fiber reinforced plastics are discussed. The processing conditions influence on the mechanical properties of final materials and there are discussed specially for the case of thermoplastic biodegradable polymer, such as starch based blends. In addition, the treatments can improve the bonding at the fiber-matrix interface.