Preparation and properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with wheat and flax straw fibres - Part 1: Fibre characterization

Copyright @ 1997 Chapman and Hall. This article is the author version of the published article which can be accessed at the link below.The microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of flax and wheat straw fibres have been examined with a view to using these natural fibres as reinforcing additives for thermoplastics. In this regard, the fibres were characterized prior to incorporation into the polymer, using a range of techniques, including SEM, image analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and micro-mechanical tensile testing, at room and elevated temperatures. The thermal and mechanical properties obtained have been discussed in relation to the measured composition and structural form of the fibres.This work was supported by the EPSRC, DTI and Cookson Plantpak Ltd through the LINK Crops for Industrial Use programme