Influence of organic peroxide on the performance of maleic anhydride coated cellulose fiber-filled thermoplastic composites

Abstract

This paper deals with the mechanical properties of surface modified cellulose fiber-filled thermoplastic composites. The surface modifications were carried out by usingmaleic anhydride (MA) as a coupling agent. MA-coated fibersprovided a positive response with regard to the mechanical properties of composites. On the whole, these properties improvedcompared to those of virgin polymers. The influence of two organic peroxides, e.g., benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP), on the properties of composites wasalso studied. The concentration of MA, initiators and wood fibers plays an important role on the mechanical propertiesof the composites, e.g., properties improved along with therise in concentration of each of the above, up to a certainlimit, and then decreased at higher concentrations. Moreover, properties varied with the change in type of cellulose fiber, e.g., CTMP aspen, sawdust aspen and nutshell, and nature of thermolastic, e.g., polyethylene and polystyrene. Asfar as the mechanical properties of the composites were concerned, DCP was believed to be a better initiator. © 1991 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan. All Rights Reserved.