GRAFTING MMA ONTO FLAX UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MICROWAVE RADIATION AND THE USE OF FLAX-g-POLY(MMA) IN PREPARING PF COMPOSITES

Abstract This paper deals with the graft co-polymerisation of methylmethacrylate (MMA) onto flax fibre under the influence of microwave radiation (MWR). The graft co-polymers are characterised by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Graft co-polymers are subjected to the evaluation of some physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Graft co-polymers thus prepared are used in the preparation of phenol-formaldehyde composites. Wear resistance, tensile strength and compressive strength of composites are measured, and it is found that composites reinforced with flax-g-poly(MMA) showed better mechanical properties in comparison to composites reinforced with raw flax.