Abstract
Agave fibers (AF) were incorporated either pristine (AFp) or surface treated by ethylene plasma (AFm) in low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends at a ratio of 1 : 1 and foamed by chemical means. The role of the AF content (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt.%) and its surface modification on the cellular morphology and mechanical properties of LDPE/EVA/AF foams under compression is investigated herein. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, and water suspension of AF suggest that plasma treatment using ethylene successfully modifies the surface nature of AF from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. AF and the surface treatment have an important role on the morphological properties of the foams. Composite foams reinforced with 12 wt.% AFm exhibited the highest mechanical properties improvements. At this fiber content, the composite foams enhanced 30% of the compressive modulus and 23% of the energy absorption under compression with respect to the neat polymer blend foam, as a result to the formation of more uniform cells with smaller size and the enhancement of compatibility and spatial distribution of the AFm in the polymer composite foams due to thin clusters of polyethylene-like polymer deposited on the AF surface.
Highlights
The use of natural fiber-reinforced polymers has reached the interest of several sectors such as the automotive, construction, and packaging industries
The behavior of composite foams made from Agave fibers modified by plasma was investigated
Composite foams containing low contents of agave fibers exhibit bigger cell sizes, wider cell size distribution, and thin walls and edges compared to the reference foam
Summary
The use of natural fiber-reinforced polymers has reached the interest of several sectors such as the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. Vazquez-Fletes et al [8] mixed linear medium-density polyethylene with agave fiber, and the foaming process was done by a rotational process of a three-layer cylindrical liquid container and studied the effect of the composition on the mechanical behavior of rotomolded parts. They found that the impact strength decreases with both, Agave fiber content and foaming agent, content due to the poor adhesion between fibers and the matrix. In order to extend the study of the role of the surface modification of AF on the mechanical properties of composite foams, the aim of this work is to get insight on the influence of the incorporation of pristine (AFp) and ethylene plasma treated (AFm) agave fibers on the morphological characteristics and mechanical properties of LDPE/EVA/AF foams under compression
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