Polyvinyl Chloride Reinforced with Areca Sheath Fiber Composites—An Experimental Study

ABSTRACT

This research work deals with fibrous composites obtained by using treated and untreated areca sheath (AS) fibers reinforced in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by injection molding process. Surface treatments of fibers have been carried out to have a better compatibility with PVC matrix. The tensile and flexural strength have been found to increase at the early stage with the increase in treated areca fiber content till optimum (18 wt% of fiber) fiber loading thereafter declines. At optimum fiber loading, the tensile strength, flexural strength and young’s modulus values are 42.38 MPa, 18.22 MPa and 2.38 GPa, respectively, which give maximum values in comparison to other fiber loadings. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), biodegradability tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used for analysis. The TGA inferred that the thermal stability of the composites increased as compared to neat PVC matrix. Further, the composites exhibit excellent biodegradability property and their biodegradability increases with the increase of areca fiber content. From the properties obtained at optimum fiber loading (18 wt% of fiber), the composite can be suitable for automotive dashboard and door panel applications.

摘要

本研究以聚氯乙烯（PVC）为增强体，采用注射成型工艺制备了经处理和未经处理的槟榔护套（AS）纤维复合材料。纤维表面处理已与PVC基体有较好的相容性。结果表明，随着处理槟榔纤维含量的增加，抗拉强度和弯曲强度在处理初期有所提高，直到最佳（纤维重量的18%）纤维负荷下降。在最佳纤维载荷下，拉伸强度、弯曲强度和杨氏模量值分别为42.38MPa、18.22MPa和2.38GPa，与其它纤维载荷相比，其值最大。采用热重分析（TGA）、动态力学分析（DMA）、生物降解性试验和扫描电镜（SEM）进行分析。热重分析表明，与纯PVC基体相比，复合材料的热稳定性提高。此外，复合材料的生物降解性能优异，并且随着槟榔纤维含量的增加，复合材料的生物降解性能也增加。根据在最佳纤维负荷（纤维重量的18%）下获得的性能，该复合材料可适用于汽车仪表板和车门面板应用。

KEYWORDS:

• Composites
• natural fibers
• mechanical properties
• thermal analysis
• poly (vinyl chloride)

关键词:

• 复合材料
• 天然纤维
• 力学性能
• 热分析
• 聚（氯乙烯）