Broom fibers as reinforcement for thermoplastic matrices

Vegetable fibers deriving from the basts of broom plants have been used as reinforcement for two polypropylenic matrices : a conventional isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and a maleate modified one (iPPMA). Before mixing the fibers were subjected to two different extraction procedures: a conventional alkaline treatment and an innovative steam explosion process. Afterwards, the composites obtained by compression moulding were thermally, morphologically, and mechanically characterized. Moreover, water absorption tests, to examine the behaviour of these materials in wet conditions, were also performed.