The Effect of Silane Treated Sugar Cane Bagasse on Mechanical, Thermal and Crystallization Studies of Recycled Polypropylene

Tshwafo E. Motaung^1*, Linda Z. Linganiso^1,2, Maya John^1,2, Rajesh D. Anandjiwala^1,2

¹CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing, Polymers and Composites Competence Area, Nonwovens and Composites Research Group, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
²Department of Textile Science, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

DOI: 10.4236/msa.2015.68074                

Abstract

This article describes the results of an investigation on the influence of loading silane treated sugar cane bagasse (SB) on the morphology and properties of recycled polypropylene (rPP). The samples are prepared through melt extrusion followed by injection moulding. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that SB-rPP composites have a fairly strong interfacial interaction and a change in crystallization for the highest containing SB composite, however, some fibre pull-outs are observed as the SB content is increased. The interaction influences the thermal and mechanical properties of the samples in a complex way. There are strong indications of a stronger interfacial interaction on the highest containing SB composite, which is supposedly accountable for the increased crystallinity and melting temperature.

Keywords

Sugar Cane Bagasse, Silane Treatment, Polypropylene Composites

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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