Abstract

ABSTRACTCellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have many useful properties, including high strength and low thermal expansion, and are also environmentally friendly, readily renewable, safe, and biodegradable. The focus of this study was the development of lightweight thermoplastic polymer composites with good mechanical properties based on the incorporation of CNFs that have undergone surface pretreatment with a cationic reagent. The polyamide (PA12) was mixed with surface‐treated CNFs using a twin screw extruder and the resulting pellets were injection molded. The Izod impact strength without notch of CNF‐based composites exceeded that of composites incorporating organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT), a representative nanocomposite material. When the Izod impact test without notch, the impact hammer was stopped by the specimen with incorporation of surface treated CNF. Furthermore, the bending modulus and strength were equal to or greater than that of OMMT composites. The heat distortion temperature was improved as 33°C from neat PA12, and moreover improved as 29°C from OMMT composites. Cationic pretreatment of the CNF surfaces was found to increase the dispersion of the fibers and also to greatly improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40920.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.