The role of interface modification on thermal degradation and crystallization behavior of composites from commingled polypropylene fiber and banana fiber

✍ Scribed by Sherely Annie Paul; Charlie Oommen; Kuruvilla Joseph; Gem Mathew; Sabu Thomas

• Book ID: 104510627
• Publisher: Society for Plastic Engineers
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 539 KB
• Volume: 31
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0272-8397
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.20901

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The thermal degradation behavior of banana fiber and polypropylene/banana fiber composites has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Banana fiber was found to be decomposing in two stages, first one around 320°C and the second one around 450°C. For chemically treated banana fiber, the decomposition process has been at a higher temperature, indicating thermal stability for the treated fiber. Activation energies for thermal degradation were estimated using Coats and Redfern method. Calorific value of the banana fiber was measured using a constant volume isothermal bomb calorimeter. Crystallization studies exhibited an increase in the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of polypropylene upon the addition of banana fiber. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers