Fundamental studies of isotactic polypropylene composites with brown coals: Structure–properties relationship

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wood–polymer composites (WPCs) are commonly used in materials technology, and there is a reasonable amount of research for new kinds of green fillers. In this study, we have obtained the isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites filled with native and modified xylite (brown coal fraction with a relatively high amount of cellulose). The modification of xylite has been based on processing in a mine, where the humic acids are rinsed with KOH solution for further use. The composites were subjected to a wide range of structural, thermal, functional, and mechanical characteristics. The results of the undertaken research have shown that the addition of xylite filler can be successfully used in obtaining of thermoplastic composites. The properties of those composites are similar to another types of WPCs. There also observed a strong impact of xylite filler addition into formation of β-iPP form.