Synthesis of flax-g-copolymers under pressure for use in phenolic composites as reinforcement

Abstract

In present paper, binary vinyl monomers mixtures such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) + vinyl acetate (VA), MMA + acrylamide (AAm) and MMA + styrene (Sty) have been graft copolymerized onto flax fiber. 21.32, 38.80 and 25.60 % grafting have been found with MMA+VA, MMA+AAm and MMA+Sty binary monomer mixtures, respectively. Graft copolymers thus prepared were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), TGA/DTA techniques and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal stability of flax-g-poly(MMA+AAm) has been found to more than that of flax fiber and other graft copolymers. On grafting, percentage crystallinity decreases rapidly with reduction in its stiffness and hardness. Highest value of percentage crystallinity has been found in case of flax fiber in comparison to flax-g-copolymers. Synthesized graft copolymers were used as reinforcing material in phenolic composites. Composites thus prepared were subjected for the evaluation of some mechanical properties such as wear resistance, tensile strength and compressive strength.