Low Density Linear Polyethylene Reinforced with Alkali and MAPE Treated Fibers from Coffee Pulp

Abstract

In this work fibers derived from coffee, hulls have been incorporated into Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The influence of the filler content on the thermal and physicomechanical properties of the composites obtained was assessed. The results showed that the incorporation of fibers was able to improve the thermostability of LLDPE/Coffee hulls fibers; comparing the treated fiber composite with untreated fiber composites, the chemical treatment reduces by 58.3% the water absorption, while increasing the elongation and tensile strength by about 48% and 17% respectively. Moreover, due to better interfacial interaction induced by MAPE, the corresponding composite exhibited better properties compared to the untreated fiber composite. Results are indicative of the fact that both mercerization and MAPE (coupling agent) have significant positive effects on the fiber-matrix interaction in terms of adhesion, wetting and dispersion, this treatment produced a better fiber distribution and consequently a more uniform composite morphology without voids and gaps between the fibers and the matrix, allowing the possibility to use higher fiber contents (up to 30% wt.) with acceptable mechanical properties.