Mechanical and Thermal Stability Properties of Modified Rice Straw Fiber Blend with Polycaprolactone Composite.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of modified rice straw (ORS) on the mechanical and thermal properties of modified rice straw/polycaprolactone composites (ORS/PCL-Cs). The composites (Cs) of polycaprolactone (PCL) with ORS were successfully synthesized using the solution-casting method. The RS modified with octadecylamine (ODA) as an organic modifier. The prepared composites were characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and mechanical properties were investigated. Composites of ORS/PCL showed superior mechanical properties due to greater compatibility of ORS with PCL. TheXRDresults showed that the intensity of the peaks decreasedwith the increase ofORS content from1.0 to 7.0wt.%in comparison with PCL peaks. Tensile measurement showed an increase in tensile modulus but a decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break as the ORS contents are increased from 1.0 to 7.0wt.%; on the other hand, tensile strength was improved with the addition of 5.0wt.% of ORS.Thermal stability was decreased with the increase of ORS contents. SEM micrograph indicated good dispersion of ORS into the matrix, and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that the interaction between PCL and ORS is physical interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]