EFFECTS OF INJECTION TEMPERATURE ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAGASSE/POLYPROPYLENE INJECTION MOLDING COMPOSITES

Abstract

Effects of injection temperature on thermal degradation and porosity of the bagasse/polypropylene injection molding composites were studied. Above 185 ºC, incomplete filling occurred. The incomplete filling increased with increase of injection temperature. It was found that the gas generated by thermal degradation of bagasse fibers was so accumulated in the injection cylinder that the injected composites ended up with incomplete filling. A modified injection method with the venting of gas increased the complete filling percentage. Mechanical properties decreased with increase of injection temperature from 165 ºC to 260 ºC. This was due to increase of porosity and fiber shortening. The calculated flexural modulus, which incorporated the effect of porosity and fiber length, agreed well with the experimental results. Composites with maleic acid anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were also investigated. Flexural strength and impact strength were improved by 45% and 35%, respectively, by addition of 20wt% MAPP. In the MAPP composites, fiber breakages at their roots were observed in the fracture surface after an impact test, while pulled-off fibers were observed in those without MAPP.

Keywords

• Natural fiber
• Composites
• Injection molding
• Thermal degradation
• Flexural modulus
• Mechanical properties