Preparation and Physical Properties of the Biocomposite, Cellulose Diacetate/Kenaf Fiber Sized with Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)
Macromolecular Research, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp 566-570 (2010) www.springer.com/13233 DOI 10.1007/s13233-010-0611-0 Preparation and Physical Properties of the Biocomposite, Cellulose Diacetate/Kenaf Fiber Sized with Poly(vinyl alcohol) Chang-Kyu Lee, Mi Suk Cho, In Hoi Kim, and Youngkwan Lee* Department of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Korea Jae Do Nam Department of Polymer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Korea Received November 2, 2009; Revised February 5, 2010; Accepted February 9, 2010 Abstract: Cellulose diacetate (CDA)/kenaf fiber biocomposites were prepared using a melting process. In order to increase the fiber density and compatibilize the kenaf fiber with CDA, the fiber was sized with poly(vinyl alco- hol)(PVA). The sized kenaf fiber was compounded with the plasticized CDA using a twin screw extruder, and the opti- mal processing conditions were determined. The incorporated kenaf fiber improved the mechanical and thermal properties of CDA. In the case of the composites containing 30 wt% kenaf fibers, the tensile strength and modulus increased almost 2 and 3 fold, which were 85.6 MPa and 4831 MPa, respectively. The PVA treated kenaf fiber showed better adhesion to the CDA matrix. Keywords: cellulose diacetate, kenaf fiber, PVA, sizing. Introduction CDA, its processability is improved, whereas its unique mechanical properties and thermal stability are deteriorated. Synthetic polymers are widely used in everyday life and In order to increase the physical strength of CDA, the use of are increasingly being used in more diverse areas due to various reinforcing agents were generally accepted.7-9 Natu- their easy processability, permanent stability, low price, and ral fiber is completely biodegraded in the natural environ- antibacterial properties.
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