The Effect of Fiber Surface Treatment on the Water Absorption and Morphological Properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Kenaf Composites

摘要

The effect of untreated and treated (chromium sulphate, Cr_2SO_4 and sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO_3) kenaf (KNF) on the water uptake and morphological properties of linear low density polyethylene/poly(vinyl alcohol)/kenaf (LLDPE/PVOH/KNF) composites was studied. The composites were prepared by using an internal mixer (Haake Polydrive) at 150 ℃ and 50 rpm for 10 min. The results showed that the untreated composites tend to absorb greater amount of water compared to the treated composites. This shows that the Cr_2SO_4 and NaHCCh treatment on KNF had improved the interfacial adhesion between KNF and LLDPE/PVOH matrices. Consequently, the capability of water absorption by the treated composites was reduced. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) result shows that lesser traces of filler pull-out and better filler-matrix interfacial adhesion were observed in the tensile fractured surfaces of treated composites.