A study of the effect of acetylation and propionylation on the interface of natural fibre biodegradable composites

Abstract

Composite materials are a class of materials used in many diverse applications. Very recently the attention has shifted to the development of green composites that are easily recycleable and in this case the use of biodegradable matrices and fibres appear to be highly attractive. In the present study a class of biodegradable polyesters are used as matrices to produce fully biodegradable composites, reinforced with lignocellulosic natural fibres. This new class of composites is fully biodegradable, but the key aspect that governs the behaviour of the composites remains the interface. Surface treatments, although having a negative impact on economics, may improve the compatibility and strengthen the interface in natural fibre composite materials. In the present study the effect of two surface treatments, namely acetylation and propionylation, upon the interface of natural fibre composites is assessed by means of fragmentation tests. It has been found that both treatments led to an improvement of the stress transfer efficiency at the interface, and both applied treatments were optimised, accordingly.