A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE PROPERTIES OF AGAVE CANTALA NATURAL FIBRE -POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

摘要

Agave cantata leaf fibre-PP composites (ACLF-PP) of different fibre compositions (7.5%, 15% and 22.5%) have been fabricated using a simple hot press method. Different process parameters (e.g. mixing time, heating temperature, heating time etc) were established for good sample preparation. The effect of fibre addition on some physical and mechanical properties was evaluated. The density increases with the increase of fibre addition. The tensile strength of fabricated product decreases with the increase of fibre addition. The elongation of fabricated product decreases with the increase of fibre addition. Disintegration test was also carried out by ASTM D5338-98 standard. After three months weight loss of Agave cantala-PP composites of 7.5%, 15% and 22.5% fibre loading were found to 1%, 2.5% and 4% respectively. From the mere water immersion test it is clear that the degradability is higher in the high fibre content composites.