Premium
The role of interface modification on thermal degradation and crystallization behavior of composites from commingled polypropylene fiber and banana fiber
Author(s) -
Paul Sherely Annie,
Oommen Charlie,
Joseph Kuruvilla,
Mathew Gem,
Thomas Sabu
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20901
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , crystallinity , fiber , thermogravimetric analysis , polypropylene , crystallization , thermal stability , degradation (telecommunications) , natural fiber , isothermal process , chemical engineering , telecommunications , physics , computer science , engineering , thermodynamics
The thermal degradation behavior of banana fiber and polypropylene/banana fiber composites has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Banana fiber was found to be decomposing in two stages, first one around 320°C and the second one around 450°C. For chemically treated banana fiber, the decomposition process has been at a higher temperature, indicating thermal stability for the treated fiber. Activation energies for thermal degradation were estimated using Coats and Redfern method. Calorific value of the banana fiber was measured using a constant volume isothermal bomb calorimeter. Crystallization studies exhibited an increase in the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of polypropylene upon the addition of banana fiber. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers