Polypropylene Composite with Cellulose Fiber from Horse Manure

Abstract

This research aimed to study mechanical properties of polypropylene composite reinforced with cellulose fiber from horse manure. The fibers obtained from horse manure were chemical treated with sodium hydroxide solution by varying concentrations. The optimal fiber treatment condition was using 4%w/w NaOH solution for 8 hours at room temperature. For comparison, treated and untreated horse manure fibers (THMF and HMF) were used as reinforcing fiber. Polypropylene composites were prepared with fiber content of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 phr by using a two-roll mill and then the test specimens were molded by compression molding machine. The result shows that tensile strength of both PP/HMF and PP/THMF were lower than polypropylene. In contrast, Young’s modulus, impact strength and hardness of composites were higher than those of polypropylene. The effect of fiber contents on mechanical properties indicated that Young’s modulus and impact strength were increase with increasing of fiber content but tensile strength and hardness were not significant difference. When compared between the addition of HMF and THMF in polypropylene composites, the mechanical properties of PP/THMF composites were higher than PP/HMF composites at all of the fiber contents.