Bagasse Fiber Reinforced Functionalized Ethylene Propylene Rubber Composites by Palsule Process

This study reports bagasse fiber (BGSF) reinforced chemically functionalized ethylene propylene rubber (CF-EPR) composites (BGSF/CF-EPR) by Palsule process. Esterification and hydrogen bonding between CF-EPR and BGSF imparting fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion in the composite is established by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The composites show higher mechanical properties than CF-EPR matrix that increase with increasing bagasse fiber contents in their compositions. Water absorbed wet composites show thickness swelling and lower tensile mechanical properties than respective dry composites but higher tensile mechanical properties than the dry CF-EPR. Thermal stability and degradation of the composites have been evaluated

Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Chemically Functionalized Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Composites by Palsule Process

Bamboo fibers (BBF) and reinforced chemically functionalized acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (CF-ABS) composites (BBF/CF-ABS) have been processed up to 190ºC, extending Palsule process to higher processing temperatures. The composites show higher tensile and flexural properties than CF-ABS. BBF act as stress concentrators, reduce deformation and thus impact strength of the composites relative to the matrix. Esterification reaction and hydrogen bonds are formed between BBF and CF-ABS at higher processing temperatures also, and these bonds impart adhesion between them in the composites. Thermal stability of the BBF/CF-ABS composites is between those of BBF and CF-ABS, and their degradation starts above 270ºC. The composites show better mechanical properties than the same composite by the fiber treatment, the compatibilizer and their combined processes

Recycled wood fiber reinforced chemically functionalized polyethylene (VLDPE) composites by Palsule process

Fiber treatment process imparting treatments to natural fibers, Compatibilizer process, based on a coupling agent as a compatibilizer and Palsule process using a functionalized polymer as the matrix are the three processes for natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. This study is the first attempt to extend the Palsule process beyond maleic anhydride functionalized polymers by using a glycidylmethacrylate grafted VLDPE polymer, the chemically functionalized very low density polyethylene (CF-VLDPE), as the matrix and recycled wood fiber (RWF) as reinforcement to develop RWF/CF-VLDPE composites, by extrusion and injection molding. The composites show RWF/CF-VLDPE interfacial adhesion in the SEM micrographs and FTIR establishes etherification reaction and hydrogen bonding between the functional groups of RWF and of CF-VLDPE imparting this adhesion. With the increasing reinforcing RWF contents in the composites, their tensile properties increase. After being immersed in water for one year, the wet composites show lower properties than their dry counterparts but better properties than dry CF-VLDPE matrix. The study establishes that natural fiber reinforced glycidylmethacrylate functionalized polymer composites also can be developed by Palsule process