Preparation of microwave radiation induced graft copolymers and their applications as reinforcing material in phenolic composites

Abstract Flax fiber was modified through grafting of binary vinyl monomers mixtures such as methyl methacrylate (MMA)/vinyl acetate (VA), MMA/acrylamide (AAm), and MMA/styrene (Sty) under the influence of microwave radiations. 24.64% grafting was found at 210 W microwave power under optimum reaction conditions. Graft copolymers obtained were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and TGA/DTA techniques. Graft copolymers were found to be moisture retardant with better tensile strength. Phenolic composites using graft copolymers vis‐à‐vis flax as reinforcing material were subjected for the evaluation of different mechanical properties such as wear resistance, tensile strength, compressive strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and stress at the limit of proportionality (SP). Composites reinforced with graft copolymers showed better mechanical properties in comparison to composites reinforced with flax. Phenolic composites reinforced with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) showed maximum wear resistance followed by reinforcement with flax, Flax‐g‐poly (MMA/AAm), and Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/VA). Composites reinforced with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) and flax fibers have been found to show 150 N tensile strength with extension of 3.94 and 2.17 mm, respectively. It has also been found that composites reinforced with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) showed maximum compressive strength (1,000 N) with compression of 3.71 mm in comparison to other graft copolymers and flax fibers reinforcement. Reinforcement of phenolic resin with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) and flax fibers could improve the MOR and MOE. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers