Influence of MA-g-PP on abrasive wear behaviour of chopped sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

In this paper. chopped sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites with and without maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) were developed. Different amounts of MA-g-PP, e.g. 1, 2 and 5-wt% were added to modify the composites. Abrasive wear and mechanical properties of sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites were determined. Addition of MA-g-PP improved the mechanical properties of the composite. Effects of MA-g-PP coupling agent, sliding distance and load on abrasive wear behaviour of sisal fibre reinforced PP composites were studied by using a SUGA abrasion tester. Addition of MA-g-PP coupling agent has significantly influenced the wear resistance of sisal fibre reinforced PP composites. It is observed in chopped sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composite that initially at low loads (i.e. 1 N and 3 N), sample having 1-wt% MA-g-PP exhibited maximum wear resistance but at higher applied loads (i.e. 5 N and 7 N), sample having 2-wt% MA-g-PP offered maximum wear resistance. The higher concentration of MA-g-PP, i.e. 5-wt% has increased the internal slippage of chain molecules, leading to lowering the wear resistance of composite. Worn and fractured surfaces were analyzed and discussed using SEM. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.