Abstract
Cellulose whiskers, isolated from banana waste fibres, were used as a reinforcement in poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) [EVA] matrices, to develop composites. A non-ionic surfactant, poly(ethylene glycol ether), was used to improve the dispersion characteristics of the cellulose whiskers in EVA/cellulose whisker composites. The influence of the surfactant on the morphology, the mechanical properties and the thermal characteristics of the resultant EVA/cellulose whisker composites has been examined. Theoretical models, namely the Halpin–Tsai model and the Nicolais–Narkis model have been used to provide a basis for comparing the results those were derived from investigations of the tensile properties of the composites.
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