THE COMPARATIVE OF EFFECTS OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS IN DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MAPP IN WOOD FIBER- FLOUR/ POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

This study investigates the effect of maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) addition as a coupling agent at four levels and also the type of cellulosic materials as a reinforcing component on processing and mechanical properties of modified Populus deltoides fiber and flour/ polypropylene composites.The results indicate that the interfacial bond between reinforcing-fiber/ flour and the matrix show great influence on the mechanical properties of composites. Furthermore it has been demonstrated that the addition of coupling agent during processing significantly improves the mechanical properties of fiber/ flour polypropylene composites. The results of this investigation indicates that the highest the mechanical properties of composites are as follow; The mechanical properties of the poplar fiber with 2% MAPP is higher than poplar flour without MAPP, which proves that the addition of functional group C=O acts as a good bonding agent. The notched Impact Izod strength value of poplar fiber with 2% MAPP is less than pure PP. But it is higher than other treatments. The results indicate that the interfacial bond between reinforcing fibers and flour with polymer matrix modified MAPP play a significant role in improving the measured mechanical properties of the composites