Biocomposites based on polypropylene and Agave fibers (Agave Americana L): investigation on physical, thermal and mechanical properties

This study is a comparative assessment of polypropylene composites reinforced with two different range size of Agave Americana fibers. The first is from 125 to 630 microns, named as Short Agave Fiber (SHAF), and the second range is beyond 630 microns, named as Long Agave Fiber (LAF). The composites were produced by twin-screw extrusion and injection molding processes. The composite manufacturing by this interior part of plant agave fibers is mentioned in the first time in the literature. The fiber content for the SHAF and LAF composites was chosen as 10 wt. %. It was found that better mechanical properties were achieved with LAF composite which increased by 301.4% compared with the neat PP. This was explained by LAF features compared to SHAF such as the higher cellulose content LAF (73.5%) and SHAF (40.3%), the higher crystallinity index was obtained better thermal stability which led to a composite which is more crystalline, more thermally stable and stiffer. This was explained by the good interfacial adhesion between fibers and the matrix revealed by SEM analysis.