Journal
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
Volume 107, Issue 6, Pages 3512-3519Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/app.27470
Keywords
poly(epsilon-caprolactone); kenaf fiber; crystallization behavior; mechanical properties
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Plant-derived kenaf fiber (KF)-reinforced POIY(E-caprolactone) (PCL) biocomposites were successfully fabricated by the melt mixing technique. The crystallization behavior, morphology, and mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of PCL/KF composites with various KF weight contents were investigated. The crystallization rate, tensile and storage moduli significantly improved as compared to the virgin polymer. The half times of PCL/KF composite (20 wt % fiber content) in isothermal crystallization at 40 degrees C and 45 degrees C reduced to 31.6% and 42.0% of the neat PCL, respectively. Moreover, the tensile and storage modulus of the composite are improved by 146% and 223%, respectively, by the reinforcement with 30% KF. The morphology evaluated by SEM indicates good dispersion and adhesion between KF and PCL. Overall, these findings reveal that KF can be a potential reinforcement for the biodegradable polymer composites owing to its good ability to improve the mechanical properties as well as crystallization rate. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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