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Nanoscale characterization of interphase properties in maleated polypropylene‐treated natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composites
Author(s) -
Nair Sandeep S.,
Hurley Donna C.,
Wang Siqun,
Young Timothy M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23330
Subject(s) - interphase , materials science , composite material , polypropylene , modulus , fiber , polymer , natural fiber , characterization (materials science) , nanotechnology , genetics , biology
Contact resonance force microscopy has been used to evaluate the effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) concentration on interphase thickness as well as the spatial distribution of mechanical properties within the interphase of cellulose fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites. The average interphase thickness values ranged from 25 nm to 104 nm for different concentrations of MAPP. The interphase region showed a gradient in the elastic modulus, with a gradual decrease in modulus from fiber to matrix. The interphase region in the specimen containing 0% MAPP showed a narrow interphase with steep gradient in modulus from fiber to matrix, whereas the use of MAPP significantly increased the interphase thickness which resulted in a more gradual change in modulus from fiber to matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © Society of Plastics Engineers