Comparative study of the morphology, water diffusion, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of bamboo fiber/PP/MAPP and areca fiber/PP/MAPP composites

Abstract

The present work compares the moisture diffusion coefficients, mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength of both areca and bamboo reinforced polypropylene composites. These blends were coupled with Maleic Anhydride Polypropylene (MAPP) to enhance the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of prepared composites. Inclusion of MAPP to composites reduces the water intake and hence decreases the diffusion coefficients. The entry of water into the natural fiber/ polymer blends plays a very important role in some of the applications such as construction, aerospace and marine. Diffusion coefficients (D) of both bamboo and areca reinforced polypropylene composites were determined and compared with the MAPP coupled composites. SEM analysis was used to compare the structural differences of the composite before and after it was exposed to water. Comparison of the physical characteristics between MAPP coupled areca fiber / polypropylene and bamboo fiber / polypropylene composites helps us to choose a suitable blend for a specific application.