Investigation on the effect of cellulose fiber surface characteristics on mechanical properties of cellulose fiber /polypropylene composite

In this research the effect of softwood cellulose fibers surface characteristics on mechanical properties of cellulose fibers / polypropylene composite (W.P.C) was studied. The fibers were refined to modify the surface characteristics and reach four different freeness levels (11, 14, 17 and 21 °SR). Then the fibers were mixed with polypropylene using pre-determined levels of 20% fibers and 77% polypropylene and 3% MAPP and samples were made. The results revealed that refining the fibers will change the strength of the composites. Statistical analysis should that the impact of the different freeness levels statistically influenced the strength at 99% confidence level. The highest strength levels were reached using fibers with the freeness level of 14 oSR.