Effects of plasma treatment in enhancing the performance of woodfibre-polypropylene composites

In this study, argon and air-plasma treatments were used to modify the surface of woodfibres under suitable treatment parameters to improve the compatibility between woodfibres and polypropylene (PP). Woodfibres and PP fibres were blended together to form a random mat, which was then vacuum hot-pressed into a preimpregnated composite sheet. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the composite sheet improved to some extent after the plasma treatment. The storage modulus in the dynamic mechanical properties of woodfibre-PP composites also showed improvement after the treatment. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed the improved morphologies of the fractured surfaces of the composites. Surface characterisation, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, showed increases in oxygen/carbon ratios of woodfibres after treatment. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.