Polypropylene (PP)–Acacia mangiumcomposites: the effect of acetylation on mechanical and water absorption properties

Abstract

Acacia mangiumwood flour (AMWF)–polypropylene (PP) composites were produced at different filler loading (20, 30, 40, and 50 w/w) and mesh no. (35, 60, 80, and 100 mesh). The AMWF–PP composites (using unmodified or modified wood flour) were compounded using a Haake Rheodrive 500 twin screw compounder. The mechanical and water absorption (WA) properties of modified (only at mesh no. 100) and unmodified AMWF–PP composites were investigated. Increase in the mesh number (35–100) of the unmodified AMWF showed increased flexural and impact properties. Flexural modulus exhibited higher properties as the filler loading increased (20–50). However, flexural and impact strength showed the opposite phenomenon. Water absorption and thickness swelling increased as the mesh number and filler loading increased. This has been attributed to the presence of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups of the filler. Modified AMWF–PP composites exhibited higher mechanical properties and good water resistance when compared to unmodified AMWF–PP composites at all values of filler loading. The evidence of the failure mechanism (from impact strength) of the filler–matrix interface was analyzed using scanning electron microscope.

Keywords:

• Acacia mangium
• Acetylation
• Mechanical properties
• Polypropylene
• Water absorption

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, for the research grant that has made this research work possible. Thanks are also due for the Forestry Department, Batu Arang Forest Reserves, Selangor, for supplying the AM wood used in this study.