The possibility of utilization of soy straw powder in wood/plastic composites produced with polypropylene

The objective of this study was to produce natural fiber –plastic composite using soy straw powder as reinforcing component and to investigate the effect of nano-clay particles addition on the mechanical properties of the composite. Two levels of soy straw powder (35 and 45%) based on the weight of the composite, three levels of nano-clay (0,3 and 6%) based on the weight of the polypropylene as the matrix was used. Five percent Maleic Anhydride Ploy Propylene (MAPP) was added as the coupling agent. Composites compound was made and then the testing specimens were fabricated by injection molding and the mechanical strength were measured. The results were statistically analyzed using factorial experiment design. The results revealed that at higher dosage of the soy straw powder, the strength properties except impact strength values were reduced. At the higher addition of the nano-clay, the flexural strength and tensile strength were reduced and tensile and flexural modulus as well as the impact strength improved and the highest values were reached at 6% nano- clay addition. Also, at the of 3% nano-clay addition and 35% dosage of the soy straw powder, the thickness swelling and water absorption of composites were reduced. Keywords