Injection-Molded Biocomposites from Industrial Hemp Fiber and Polypropylene: Effects of Polypropylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride on Physical Properties

摘要

Biocomposites from polypropylene (PP) and industrial hemp fiber were successfully developed using twin-screw extrusion and injection molding process. The influence of the coupling agent on the physical properties of the biocomposites was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), mechanical properties measurement, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. It was found that with the addition of 5 wt% coupling agent polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), the mechanical strength of the industrial hemp fiber-reinforced PP biocomposites increased by more than 40 percent, compared to the composites without a coupling agent. Industrial hemp fiber and a coupling agent have nucleation effect to PP, which bring additional benefit to biocomposites processing and performance.