Natural Aging of Reprocessed Polypropylene Composites Filled with Sustainable Corn Fibers

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 16; no. 13; p. 1788
• Main Authors: Matos, Antonio Zilverlan Germano, Dias, Alisson Rodrigues de Oliveira, Rosa, Ana Carolina Ferreira Dos Santos, Nascimento Junior, Renato de Sousa, Braz, Cristiano José de Farias, Carneiro da Silva, Lucas Rafael, de Oliveira, Amanda Dantas, Barbosa, Renata, Alves, Tatianny Soares
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 25-06-2024
• Subjects: Aging (natural); Carbon; Composite materials; Corn fibers; Fiber reinforcement; Fourier transforms; Impact strength; Infrared analysis; Mechanical properties; Morphology; Optical microscopy; Optical properties; Performance degradation; Photodegradation; Polyethylene; Polymers; Polypropylene; Systems analysis; Tensile tests; Thermogravimetric analysis; Variance analysis; Brazil; United States > US; corn husk fiber; reprocessed polypropylene composites; morphology analysis; mechanical properties
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16131788

Natural fiber reinforcements have the potential to enhance mechanical properties, thereby improving performance and durability in various applications. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the impact of environmental degradation over 120 days on reprocessed polypropylene (PP) reinforced with corn husk fiber (CHF) composites. The manufactured systems underwent rigorous analysis using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing. These analyses revealed that climatic conditions significantly influenced (
< 0.05) the mechanical properties of all systems. Photodegradation led to surface morphological changes and chemical structures. Regardless, adding CHF filler proved a key factor, as it allowed for less susceptibility to environmental degradation than the reprocessed matrix. These findings, therefore, provide robust evidence supporting the feasibility of using CHF composites for manufacturing agricultural containers.