A comparison of flax shive and extracted flax shive reinforced PP composites

In this study, flax shive (FS) and extracted flax shive (EFS) were fully characterized. The results showed that EFS presented lower noncellulose content, smaller porous tunnels and better thermal stability than FS. The 5 % weight loss temperature of EFS was over 200 °C, which can meet the requirements of the processing conditions for the natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Consequently, the flax shive and extracted flax shive reinforced PP composites were prepared and characterized. It was found that the thermal stability of EFS/PP composites was better than that of FS/PP composites, and both FS and EFS behaved as nucleation agents, which could accelerate the crystallization process of PP in the composites. Mechanical test showed that EFS could be used as a reinforcing material for PP composite when compatibilizer was applied. The flexural strength and modulus of the composites containing 30 % EFS were about 8 % and 100 % higher than that of pure polypropylene, respectively.