Preparation And Characterization Of Wood-Fiber-Reinforced Polyamide 6-Polypropylene Blend Composites

In this study, we used lithium chloride (LiCl) as a modifier to decrease the melting temperature (T-m) of polyamide 6 (PA6), and then, we fabricated wood-fiber-reinforced PA6-polypropylene (PP) blend composites via hot pressing. From crystallization analysis, the composites exhibited a lower T-m and a lower processing temperature compared to PA6. Color and Fourier transform infrared analyses showed that severe thermal degradation and discoloration of the composites could be prevented by the incorporation of LiCl. LiCl had positive effects on the mechanical properties of the final product and the interfacial compatibility among PA6, PP, and wood fiber. The flexural strength increased by 8.5%. In addition, both maleic anhydride grafted PP and wood fiber improved the mechanical properties. The flexural strengths increased by 7.9 and 40%, respectively. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47413.