Extrusion of PP composites with short coir fibers: effect of temperature and coupling agents

PP composites filled with coir short fibers were prepared in an extruder using two temperature profiles. The objective was to evaluate the compatibilizing effect of PP modified with vinylsilane and with maleic anhydride. Both coupling agents improved elastic modulus, tensile strength and water absorption resistance when the materials were processed at the highest temperature profile. The composite morphology was more homogeneous in the presence of the coupling agents, mainly in the composites processed at the highest temperatures. These results indicate that temperature is a key variable for the establishment of the interactions involved in the coupling processes.