Preparation and characterization of graft copolymerized Cannabis indica L . fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester matrix-based biocomposites

In present manuscript, Cannabis indica L. fibers were graft copolymerized in air with acrylonitrile using redox initiator system in order to improve the mechanical properties of Cannabis indica L/unsaturated polyester composites. The various reaction parameters such as time, temperature, pH, concentration of initiator, nitric acid and monomer were optimized to get maximum graft yield. The kinetics of the graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile was also studied. The physical, chemical and thermal properties of grafted fibers have also been investigated. Further, both raw and grafted fibers in particle form with different loading (10, 20, 30 and 40%) were used as reinforcement to prepare unsaturated polyester matrix-based green polymer composites. Effects of particles loading on mechanical properties like tensile, compressive and flexural strength have been determined and were found to affect significantly by percent loading. A considerable increase in mechanical properties has been observed after reinforcing the neat resin with grafted particles. Further scanning electron microscopic, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric and chemical resistance measurements were used as characterization techniques to evaluate different behavior of these polymer composites.