A plant fiber reinforced polymer composite prepared by a twin-screw extruder.
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.
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA.
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G
Sui
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Fuqua
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Ulven
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Zhong
D004548:Elasticity; D006368:Helianthus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013718:Tensile Strength
D011108:Polymers; D011126:Polypropylenes