Effectiveness of Maleated- and Silanized-PP for Coir Fiber-Filled Composites

Composites of PP and coir fibers were prepared in a mixer. Two coupling agents were added with view to improve the properties of the composites. The first one was a laboratory-made silane-functionalized-PP and the other was a commercial maleated-PP. The results indicated that the coir fibers acted as reinforcing fillers, increasing the static and dynamic moduli. Both coupling agents improved these properties further. The silanized-PP showed higher effect on the various moduli determined (Young, storage, and loss moduli). TGA analysis pointed to an earlier degradation of PP in the presence of the fibers and the couplers. SEM micrographs were also obtained.