Dwarf cavendish as a source of natural fibers in poly (propylene)-based composites

Composite materials were prepared by compounding and hot-pressing PP or MAPP and lignocellulosic fibers extracted from the rachis of Musa acuminate Colla var. Dwarf Cavendish banana tree. The fibers were used as raw filler or after a chemical treatment expected to remove most of the extractible compounds. The resulting materials were characterized using SEM, DSC, DMA, tensile tests and water sorption experiments. All results show that the main aspect involved in the interfacial adhesion between the polar filler and the non-polar matrix is the extraction of lignin and fatty substances. This results in higher values of the degree of crystallinity and crystallization temperature of the matrix, higher mechanical properties and lower water sensitivity.