The Effect of Fiber Surface Treatment on the Water Absorption and Morphological Properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Kenaf Composites

Abstract:

The effect of untreated and treated (chromium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate) kenaf (KNF) on the water uptake and morphological properties of linear low density polyethylene/poly(vinyl alcohol)/kenaf (LLDPE/PVOH/KNF) composites was studied. The composites were prepared by using an internal mixer (Haake Polydrive) at 150 °C and 50 rpm for 10 min. The results showed that the untreated composites tend to absorb greater amount of water compared to the treated composites. This shows that the chromium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate treatment on KNF had improved the interfacial adhesion between KNF and LLDPE/PVOH matrices. Consequently, the capability of water absorption by the treated composites was reduced. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) result shows that lesser traces of filler pull-out and better filler-matrix interfacial adhesion were observed in the tensile fractured surfaces of treated composites.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 264)
• Pages: 1-4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.264.1
• Online since: September 2017
• Authors: Ai Ling Pang*, Ismail Hanafi, Azhar Abu Bakar
• Keywords: Chromium Sulfate, Composite, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Sodium Bicarbonate, Water Absorption

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