Effect of chemical treatment on palm fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

The development of composites using lignocellulosic materials as reinforcing filler and thermoplastic polymers as matrices is currently at the centre of attention because of their low cost, lightweight, eco-friendliness and worldwide environmental awareness. In the present work, palm fibre reinforced polypropylene composites were manufactured using a single screw extruder and an injection moulding machine. Raw palm was chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt in alkali, acidic and neutral media separately to increase the compatibility of palm fibre with polypropylene matrix. Both raw and alkali, acidic and neutral media treated palm at various (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 wt%) fibre loading were utilised during composite manufacturing. Microstructural analysis and mechanical testing were also conducted. Alkali media treated specimens yielded the best set of mechanical properties. Based on fibre loading, 30% fibre reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties among all composites manufactured.