Thermal stability and thermo-mechanical properties of hemp-high density polyethylene composites: Effect of two different chemical modifications

This study investigates the effect of silane and NaOH treatments of hemp fiber on the thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of hemp-high density polyethylene composites. The results indicated that thermal stability of composites decreased with increase in fiber loading and treated composites had higher thermal stability in comparison to untreated hemp composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites compared to untreated ones. The increase in storage modulus was observed up to 40% fiber volume fraction, but at 50%, it dropped drastically. Silane treated hemp composites exhibited higher storage modulus compared to NaOH treated ones suggesting a better fiber-matrix interface. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.