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Lignocellulosic byproducts as filler in polypropylene: Comprehensive study on the effects of compatibilization and loading
Author(s) -
Fuqua Michael A.,
Chevali Venkata S.,
Ulven Chad A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.37820
Subject(s) - materials science , compatibilization , composite material , polypropylene , ultimate tensile strength , izod impact strength test , filler (materials) , composite number , plastics extrusion , extrusion , polymer , polymer blend , copolymer
Lignocellulosic byproducts derived from biofuel processes were analyzed as functional fillers in polypropylene‐based biocomposites. Corn cob, a byproduct yielded from corn harvesting for ethanol production, and sunflower hull, a byproduct of seed stripping for biodiesel production, were both examined as ground filler agents. Composite blends with these lignocellulosic fillers at four filler loadings and four variants of surface compatibilizer loading were melt‐compounded using a twin screw extruder and injection molded into test specimens. Tensile testing, notched Izod impact testing, and thermal‐mechanical analysis were performed on the composites. The role of filler type, loading, and surface compatibilization were established and reported. Additionally, elastic modulus and tensile strength were successfully modeled using established particulate composite models. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013