Polypropylene/Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene (MAgPP)/Coconut Fiber Composites

Abstract

Natural fiber composites consisted of homopolymer polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene, and coconut fibers were produced by co-rotating twin screw extruder. The mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the polypropylene composites were determined by uniaxial tensile, impact, and flexural tests; thermogravimetric analysis; and differential scanning calorimetry. The dispersion of the coconut fibers in the polypropylene was studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the increase in coconut fiber led to an increase in brittleness and stiffness of the polypropylene composites. The addition of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene content to polypropylene matrix contributed to the increase in tensile strength of the related composites compared to neat polypropylene.