Improvement of chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of Polypropylene (PP) - Cellulose microcrystalline composites (CMC)

Abstract

A research paper focuses on investigations of the improvements on chemical and thermal, andmechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) by adding cellulose microcrystalline fillers (CMC).The CMC powder was used as reinforcement in pure PP with various weight percentages 5, 10and 20 % respectively. The melt mixing process was used to prepare (PP/ CMC) composites. Thestructural changes of PP/CMC composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectra. The results of the Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) exhibited that the higheraddition of 20% CMC into the pure PP slightly improved both the residue yields and thermalstability. The tensile strength of 20% CMC into pure PP was slightly increased and elongationreduced, compared with pure PP.