Crystallization behavior and viscoelasticity of bamboo-fiber composites

Abstract

This article deals with the effect of the kneading temperature on the crystallization of a matrix polymer and the viscoelasticity of a bamboo-fiber-reinforced biodegradable polymer composite. Upon the investigation of poly(butylene succinate) after melt mixing, spherulite generation was observed with polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. An increase in the spherulite dimensions was observed at high kneading temperatures (>150°C) in both the neat polymer and the bamboo-fiber composite. Spherulite growth was initiated from the bulk matrix polymer and not from the surface of the bamboo fibers. The kneading temperature influenced the melt viscoelasticity above the melting point of poly(butylene succinate) but did not influence the viscoelasticity below the melting point. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.