Analysis of Polymeric Composites of Phormium Tenax

Abstract

Phormium tenax is a vegetal fiber with a mechanical strength of 711 ± 61.1 MPa, which is higher than the range of sisal (468-640MPa) and similar to the well-known curauá fiber (913 MPa). In this study, Phormium tenax composites coated with maleated polypropylene in a polypropylene matrix were prepared with 20%, 30%, and 35wt% of fibers, with and without aluminum sheets made from beverage cans. Some samples were made by extrusion and compression molding process, and others only through compression molding. In addition, density tests indicated lightness in composites of Phormium tenax. Samples were submitted to thermal analyzes, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform with Infrared Region, and scanning electron microscopy. Their fibers content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, ashes,and total extractives are respectively 44.27%, 13.20%, 15.02%, 23.4%, and 4.11%. Some based-PP composites reinforced with Phormium tenax showed improvement in the flexural strength, such as based-PP reinforced with long and continuous fibers, with a flexural strength of 64.94 MPa, and 52,30 MPa, respectively. It was concluded that tensile strength in PP-based composites reinforced with Phormium tenax could be enhanced with some adjustments in the material processing.