Effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced polystyrene composites. Part II. Use of glass fiber and wood pulp as hybrid fiber

Abstract

The mechanical properties of polystyrene reinforced with a mixture of hardwood aspen chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) and surface-treated glass fiber have been studied. The adhesion of cellulose fiber to glass fiber as well as to thermoplastics improved thanks to various surface treatments of CTMP, e.g. coating with polymer+isocyanate or with silane, and grafting with polystyrene. In general, compared with non-treated CTMP-filled composites, the mechanical properties improved when surface-treated wood fiber was used as a filler. Experimental results indicate better compatibility between treated wood fiber and surface-treated glass fiber as well as polystyrene and, consequently, the mechanical properties were enhanced.