Highly Fiber-Loaded Composites: Physical and Mechanical Properties

The effect of coupling agent and fiber content on physical and mechanical properties of a lignocellulosic material-thermoplastic polymer composite was examined. Using poplar fiber as the reinforcing filler, polypropylene as the thermoplastic matrix polymer, and maleated polypropylene as the coupling agent, reinforced composites were prepared. In the sample preparation, three levels of fiber loading (55, 70 and 85 wt.%) and three levels of coupling agent content (0, 2 and 4 wt.%) were used. The mechanical strengths of the composites slightly increased as the fiber loading increased, but the physicomechanical properties were significantly improved with the addition of the coupling agent.