Hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: The effects of material treatments

Natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites have been increasingly used in semi-structural applications in automotive applications because of their good specific strength and modulus, low carbon footprint and recyclability. This research work studies the effects of material treatment(s) on the mechanical behaviors of hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. The material treatment(s) are realized by chemically treating the hemp fiber with different concentration NaOH and/or adding maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) to the PP matrix. The purpose of the material treatment(s) is to enhance the bonding between the hemp fibers and the polypropylene matrix which otherwise has low surface energy and limited bonding. The mechanical behaviors are investigated with different combinations of material treatment(s) such as 5 wt% MAPP, 5% NaOH treated hemp fiber, 10% NaOH treated hemp fiber, and 5% NaOH + 5 wt% MAPP. 15 wt% and 30 wt% hemp fiber loadings are used in the composites with these material treatments. It is found that the material treatment(s) result(s) in composites with better mechanical properties compared to the composites without any treatment(s). The composites with 5 wt% MAPP addition show the best mechanical properties. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.