Polycaprolactone matrix composites reinforced with brown coir: Rheological, crystallization, and mechanical behavior

Abstract

Polycaprolactone matrix composites reinforced with natural and chemically treated coir were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer and studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the filler and its surface modification on the rheological, mechanical, and crystallization behaviors of the composites. According to rheological analysis, the higher the filler content, the higher the viscosity of the material and the lower its local pseudoplasticity index. DSC analyses showed that the presence of coir anticipates the crystallization process; however, it does not affect the absolute crystallinity of the matrix. Mechanical tests indicated that an increase in filler content leads to an increase in Young's modulus and a decrease in the elongation at break. Additionally, composites with filler content from 20% can stand higher tensile stress than the neat polymer, and this effect is intensified by the surface modification applied to the filler. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E678–E686, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers