Influence of maleated polypropylene coupling agent on mechanical and thermal behavior of latania fiber‐reinforced PP/EPDM composites

The influence of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical/thermal properties of short latania fiber‐reinforced poly(propylene)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene‐monomer (SLF/PP/EPDM) composites was investigated. Two different MAPP weight percentages (0 and 2wt%) and five different fiber weight contents (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30wt%) were considered, where the density of MAPP at the fiber surfaces progressively decreased. For a given fiber loading, addition of 2wt% MAPP led to roughly a 3–9% increase in tensile/flexural moduli and strengths over SLF/PP/EPDM composites with no MAPP. Moreover, composites containing MAPP displayed a profound improvement (37–78%) in impact energy absorption. In addition, composite heat deflection temperatures notably increased by 3–4°C with MAPP addition. Microscopic imaging suggested that matrix crazing, fiber pull‐out, and fiber fractures were key failure mechanisms. Hence, SLF/PP/EPDM composites modified with 2%wt MAPP may serve as a low cost alternative to other natural fiber thermoplastic composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1751–E1759, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers