Structure, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

with 2% MAPP as a Compatibilizer

Structure, Mechanical and

Thermal Properties of Coconut
Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene
Composites with 2% MAPP as a
Compatibilizer
Anshu Anjali Singh*, Priyanka and Kishor Biswas
Department of Polymer & Process Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee,
DPPE IIT-R SRE Campus, Paper Mill Road, Saharanpur

Received: 13 January 2014, Accepted: 27 April 2014

Summary
Coconut fibers reinforced polypropylene composites processed by extrusion
with 2% MAPP – maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene as compatibilizer show
about 10 to 20% improved tensile strength and tensile modulus as compared to
that of the polypropylene matrix due to fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion resulting
from compatibilizing effect of MAPP. Scanning electron microscopy shows
coconut fibers deeply embedded in polypropylene matrix with good interfacial
adhesion. The melting temperatures of the CNF/PP composites are same as that
of PP and are around 170°C.

Introduction
Natural fibers are being used as reinforcement materials because of their
environmental advantages, including renewable, recyclable, CO2 neutral
and biodegradable nature [1]. Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites
are offering techno-economic advantages, for example; good mechanical
and thermal properties, low cost, low energy consumption, non-abrasive to
instrument and non-toxic, and are replacing conventional synthetic or inorganic
fiber reinforced polymer composites in some applications [2].

* anshuanjaliiitr@gmail.com
©Smithers Information Ltd., 2014

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Properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are governed

by properties, chemical composition and aspect ratio of the reinforcing
fiber and properties of the polymer matrix and the interfacial adhesion
between the fiber and the polymer matrix of the composite. Natural fibers
are hydrophilic and hygroscopic because of the presence of cellulose,
hemicelluloses, lignin, which contain hydroxyl (-OH) groups, and therefore
have poor compatibility with hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer matrix
in a natural fiber reinforced polymer composite [3]. This leads to the weak
fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion in natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic
composites and thus limits proper load transfer from the matrix to the fiber
and limits the mechanical properties of the composites. Following methods
have been used to improve fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion in natural fiber
reinforced thermoplastic composites: (i) physical or chemical treatment for
surface modification of natural fibers; (ii) use of a third component known
as a compatibilizer or a coupling agent, and (iii) Palsule process based on
chemically functionalized polyolefin matrix [4, 5].
This study reports processing and structure and properties of coconut fiber
reinforced polypropylene (CNF/PP) composites using maleic anhydride grafted
polypropylene as a compatibilizer. Coconut fiber – also known as coir fiber – is
most commonly cultivated in the tropical countries.
Several coconut fiber reinforced polypropylene composites have been
processed by the chemical or physical treatment of fibers; for example; coconut
fibers have been treated using, 2% NaOH solution followed by UV radiation
[6], basic chromium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate salt in acidic media
[7], alkali, potassium permanganate and stearic acid [8], 2%-10% NaOH [9],
sodium periodate (NaIO4) and 5% solution of p-aminophenol [10].
Coconut fiber reinforced chemically functionalized high density polyethylene
composites have been developed by Palsule process [5].
5%-20% lignin [11] has been used as a compatibilizer for processing coconut
fiber reinforced polypropylene composites.
1% MAPP [12], 3% MAPP [13] and 4% to 8% MAPP [14] have been
used as compatibilizers for processing of CNF/PP composites. However,
processing and thermal and mechanical properties of coconut fiber reinforced
polypropylene composites with 2% MAPP have not been evaluated. This
study aims to process coconut fiber reinforced polypropylene composite by
using 2% maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene as a compatibilizer and to
study their thermal and mechanical properties.

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Structure, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
with 2% MAPP as a Compatibilizer

Materials and Processing

Materials
Coconut fiber was obtained commercially from the local market in raw form,
and was cut into fibers of 4-5 mm length. Polypropylene was obtained from
RTP Company (USA). Maelic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was
obtained from commercial supplier, Pluss Polymer Pvt. Ltd. (New Delhi,
India). Polypropylene composites with coconut fiber as reinforcement were
processed with 2% maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer.

Processing and Sample Preparation

Coconut fiber reinforced polypropylenes (CNF/PP) composite with 2% MAPP
as a compatibiliser, were processed on a Haake Rheocord and the samples
for testing and characterizations were made by injection molding machine.
Before compounding and injection molding of the samples, chopped coconut
fibers (CNF) of length 4-5 mm were dried in an oven at 60°C overnight to
remove the moisture. Calculated amount of chopped coconut fiber (on a dry
basis), 2% weight MAPP compatibilizer and polypropylene (PP) granules were
dried in an oven at 50°C for 2 hours. After 2 hours the CNF, MAPP and the
PP were mixed manually. Table 1 shows formulation of CNF/PP composites
with 2% MAPP.

Table 1. Formulations of coconut fiber reinforced polypropylene

(CNF/PP) composite with 2% MAPP as a compatibilizer (in weight%)
CNF/PP Coconut Fiber Polypropylene Maleic Anhydride
Composites (CNF) wt.% (PP) wt.% Grafted Polypropylene
(MAPP) wt.%
0/100 0 100 0
5/95 5 93 2
10/90 10 88 2

Compounding was performed by a laboratory size internal extruder (Haake

Rheocord) that enables the compounding and blending of thermoplastics and
rubbers and has been used to process CNF/PP composites. CNF, MAPP and
PP granules were compounded by HAAKE Pheomix 9000 at around 175°C
to develop 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composites. The temperatures used
during the compounding process were kept relatively low to prevent thermal

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degradation of the coconut fiber. The zones were set at various temperatures
depending on the fiber content, as follows: Zone 1 - 175°C, Zone 2 - 180°C,
Zone 3 - 185°C , Zone 4 - 185°C Melt temperature - 175°C, Torque - 25-
30 N. The screw speed was set at 60 rpm. The compounded materials were
collected as strands and palletized in a standard strand pelletizer used in
plastics compounding. Injection molding of the granulated PP and of the
extruded 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composites were performed using TEXAIR
injection molding machine following ASTM standards. During the operation
the heating of each zone in injection molding are: Zone-1 175°C, zone-2
185°C, and zone-3 185°C.

Testing and Characterization

Mechanical Properties
Tensile properties of PP matrix and of the processed 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP
composites with 2% MAPP were evaluated following ASTM D638. The tensile
tests were performed in a Universal Testing Machine, (Model 3382, INSTRON,
25 Ton Capacity) and values recorded were average of five samples each of
PP matrix and of the 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composite compositions tested.
The cross head speed for tensile test was 50 mm/min.

Morphology Analysis
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM Model Quanta 200F)
with an acceleration voltage of 15kV was used to study morphology of raw
coconut fiber (CNF), PP matrix, and the 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composites.
The specimens were coated with a thin gold layer and mounted on the Al
stub for examination.

Thermal Properties
Thermal properties i.e; the melting temperature of the samples were evaluated
by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC F3 NETZSCH). The equipment was
programmed to work at the temperature range between room temperature
(around 30°C) and 300°C, under nitrogen flow of 50 ml/min. The heating rate
was 10°C/min. The values of melting temperature (Tm) were obtained.

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Structure, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
with 2% MAPP as a Compatibilizer

Results and Discussions

Mechanical properties of a composite material are governed by properties,
aspect ratio and amount of the reinforcing fiber, properties of the matrix, and
the interfacial adhesion between the reinforcing fiber and the matrix. Five
samples of PP matrix and five samples of each of the 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP
composite compositions were tested for evaluation of mechanical properties
and the results have been recorded as an average of five values.

Tensile Properties
Table 2 indicates that in absolute terms, 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composites
with 2% MAPP as a compatibilizer, respectively have a tensile modulus of
2.87 GPa and 3.01 GPa; that are higher than the tensile modulus of PP matrix
that has a value 2.62 GPa. In relative terms, compared to the modulus of
the PP matrix, the tensile modulus of 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composite
compositions are higher by 10% and 15% respectively. Figure 1 shows
the effect of increasing CNF content on tensile modulus of all the CNF/PP
composite compositions with 2% MAPP. The vertical line in the Figure 1
indicates the deviations in the values.
Table 2. Tensile modulus and tensile strength of PP and
5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composites
Sample Tensile Modulus Tensile Strength
(GPa) (MPa)
Polypropylene (PP) 2.62 20
5/95 CNF/PP 2.87 22.91
10/90 3.01 24.59

Similarly, Table 2 indicates that in absolute terms 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP
composites with 2% MAPP as a compatibilizer, respectively have tensile
strength of 22.91 MPa and 24.59 MPa respectively; that are higher than the
tensile strength of PP matrix that has a value of 20 MPa. In relative terms,
compared to the tensile strength of the PP matrix, the tensile strength of 5/95
and 10/90 CNF/PP composite compositions are higher by 15%, and 23%
respectively. Figure 1 shows the effect of increasing CNF content on tensile
strength of all the CF/PP composite compositions. The vertical line in the
Figure 1 indicates the deviations in the values.
This significant increase in the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the CNF/
PP composites with 2% MAPP as a compatibilizer, comparing to PP matrix,
is attributed to the reinforcing effect of coconut fibers due to their adhesion

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Figure 1. Effect of increasing coconut fiber content on the tensile modulus and tensile
strength of CNF/PP composites

with polypropylene composite resulting from compatibilizing effect of 2%

MAPP used as a compatibilizer. The improvement in the tensile properties
of the composites as a function of increasing coconut fiber content is due to
the increased stress transfer from the matrix to the fibers.

Morphology
Scanning electron micrograph of coconut fibers (CNF) and of the PP matrix
and of the 5/95 and 10/90 CNF/PP composite compositions with 2% MAPP
as a compatibilizer, are shown in Figure 2a-d. The micrographs of the CNF/
PP composites composition (Figure 2c-d) show the reinforcing coconut fibers
(CNF) deeply embedded in, and covered with PP matrix with no noticeable
voids and gaps, confirming proper adhesion between CNF and PP matrix
due to the presence of 2% MAPP as a compatibilizer.

Thermal Characterization
Figures 3 and 4 show melting temperatures of polypropylene (PP) matrix and
of the 10/90 CNF/PP composite respectively. The melting temperature of the
PP matrix and of 10/90 CNF/PP composites are recorded in Figures 2 and
3 respectively. The peak melting temperature (Tm) of PP matrix and of the
10/90 CNF/PP composites evaluated from the DSC curves indicate that the
melting temperature of the PP is 170.2°C and of the 10/90 CNF/PP is 170.6°C.
This indicates that the Tm of the composite are not exactly the same (170.2°C)
as that of the PP matrix, but are within the limits of experimental errors,

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Structure, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
with 2% MAPP as a Compatibilizer

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure 2. Scanning electron micrograph of (a) coconut fiber, (b) PP matrix, (c) 5/95
CNF/PP, (d) 10/90 CNF/PP composites

probably, either because of the measurement limitations of the instrument,

or probably because of some very minor interference of the fiber with the
polymer matrix structure. Thus, there is no appreciable change in the melting
temperature of the CNF/PP composites, as compared to PP matrix, because
in principle, the PP is the only component of CNF/PP composite that actually
melts, and the CNF would not melt, but would degrade. Almost negligible
change was observed in melting temperature of matrix upon formation of a
composite with 10/90 CNF/PP composites with 2% maleic anhydride grafted
polypropylene as compatibilizer.

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Figure 3. Graph showing Tm of PP

Figure 4. Graph showing Tm of 10/90 CNF/PP composites

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Structure, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites
with 2% MAPP as a Compatibilizer

Conclusions
Coconut fibers reinforced polypropylene (CNF/PP) composites have been
successfully processed by extrusion with 2% MAPP – maleic anhydride
grafted polypropylene as compatibilizer. CNF/PP composites show up to
15% improved tensile modulus and unto 23% improved tensile strength as
compared to that of the polypropylene matrix due to fiber/matrix interfacial
adhesion resulting from compatibilizing effect of MAPP that is evident from the
scanning electron micrographs showing coconut fibers deeply embedded in
polypropylene matrix with good interfacial adhesion. The melting temperatures
of the CNF/PP composites are same as that of PP and are around 170°C.

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