Mechanical behavior and microstructural analysis of sugarcane bagasse fibers reinforced polypropylene composites

The compression and injection molding processes were performed in order to evaluate the better mixer method for fiber (sugarcane bagasse, bagasse cellulose and benzylated bagasse) and matrix (polypropylene). The samples (composites and polypropylene plates) were cut and submitted to mechanical tests in order to measure flexural and tensile properties. The morphological and microstructural analyses of fracture surface and specimens from composites can be easily evaluated by microscopic techniques. The fracture surface was evaluated by SEM and selected specimens from composites were analyzed by reflected light in OM. The better tested method for composites obtainment was the injection molding under vacuum process, by which composites were obtained with homogeneous distribution of fibers and without blisters. The mechanical properties show that the composites did not have good adhesion between fiber and matrix; on the other hand, the fiber insertion improved the flexural modulus and the material rigidity. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.