Molybdenum disulphide—A traditional external lubricant that shows interesting interphase properties in pulp‐based composites

Abstract Compression molded composites were prepared through a water‐assisted mixing of an aqueous suspension of poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid), additive, and pulp fibers [thermomechanical pulp (TMP) or dissolving pulp (DP)]. The lubricating additives used were magnesium stearate (MgSt) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂). The composite materials had dry pulp contents ranging from 30 to 70 wt% and 5 wt% additive relative to the weight of the pulp. The adsorption of the additives onto the fibers was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. DMA showed that MgSt and MoS₂ gave similar interphase properties for the TMP samples at all loading contents, but the combination of MgSt and MoS₂ improved the overall properties of the DP‐based composites. The tensile modulus, at 70 wt% fiber content (TMP or DP), increased compared to the matrix by a factor of 6.3 and 8.1, without lubricants, and by a factor of 8 and 10.7, with lubricants, respectively. The increase in melt viscosity observed for the lubricated samples was greater for the TMP‐based samples containing MoS₂. At a lubricant content of 5 wt%, in 30 wt% TMP, the MoS₂ behaved as both a lubricant and compatibilizer.