Polypropylene composites with enzyme modified abaca fibre

Abaca fibre reinforced PP composites were prepared using a high speed mixer followed by injection moulding with 30 wt % of fibre load Prior to composite production, the fibres were modified by fungamix and natural enzyme The effects of modification of the fibre were assessed on the basis of morphology and thermal resistance and as well as on mechanical, thermal and environmental stress corrosion resistance properties of the resulting composites Coupling agent (MA-PP) was also used with unmodified abaca fibre to observe the coupling agent effect on resulting composites properties The moisture absorption of the composites was found to be reduced 20-45% due to modification. Tensile strength found to be 5-45% and flexural strengths found to be 10-35% increased due to modification Modified fibre composites found to better resistance in acid and base medium (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved