Preparation and Physical Properties of Polypropylene/Cellulose Composites

Cellulose has attracted much attention as potential reinforcements in green composites. In this study, polypropylene (PP)/cellulose composites were prepared by melt-blending followed by compression molding. To improve interfacial bonding between PP and cellulose, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used. Mechanical properties of the PP/cellulose composites were investigated by UTM and izod impact tester. Thermal properties of the PP/cellulose composites were investigated by TGA and DSC. SEM images for the fracture surfaces of the composites showed that the MAPP was effective in improving PP/cellulose interfacial bonding. Tensile strength and modulus of the composite were maxima when MAPP content, based on cellulose content, was 3 wt%. With increasing cellulose content, the impact strength of the composites decreased but the tensile strength and modulus increased.