V. Effect of Compatibilizer on Thermomechanical and Morphological Properties of Hemp Fiber Reinforced Cellulose Ester Biocomposites

Abstract

Biocomposites are emerging as a viable alternative to glass fiber reinforced composites especially in structural and automotive applications. By embedding inexpensive natural cellulosic fibers into biopolymeric matrices, 100% biobased composite materials (biocomposites) can be made. Cellulose esters eg cellulose acetate (CA) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) plasticized with 25-30 wt.% plasticizer have been successfully reinforced with chopped hemp fiber using an extrusion-injection molding process to produce a potential alternative to glass fiber/polyolefin composites for automotive applications. The addition of a small amount of suitable compatibilizer (CAB-g-MA) into these systems had been shown to improve the adhesion of the hemp fiber to the biopolymer matrix as well as their thermomechanical properties.