Maleic anhydride polypropylene modified cellulose nanofibril polypropylene nanocomposites with enhanced impact strength
Published: 2014
Publication Name: Polymer Composites
Publication URL: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/52729
Abstract:
The unique aspect of polymer composites reinforced by various fillers or additives is that the mechanical properties of the material can be tailored to fit a variety of uses: construction, transportation, industrial, and consumer applications. By selecting a specific reinforcement or designing a particular manufacturing process a material with desired properties can be achieved. In recent years, interest in composites reinforced by renewable materials (wood flour/cellulose fibers) has grown tremendously because of social requests for low environmental impact (biodegradable materials), low-maintenance, and highdurability products [1]. Cellulose, one of the basic structural components of wood fibers, is the most abundant polymer on earth and has a great potential for the preparation of novel composite materials with thermoplastic resins [2, 3]. When compared to conventional reinforcements such as glass fibers or inorganic fillers, cellulosic materials offer a series of advantages: lower density (1.5 g cm-3), better recyclability and disposal, lower price, reduced abrasion to processing machinery, carbon neutrality, and modifiable surface properties [4–6].