The Study of Pulp-Plastic Composites Properties Produced from Bagasse with Different Pulping Processes

In this study , the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with bagasse alkaline-Sulfite-Anthraquinone, Soda-Anthraqouinone, Monoethanolamine-Anthraquinone chemical pulps and mechanical pulp (CMP) known as Pulp-Plastic Compostes (PPC) were investigated and the results were compared among PPCs and with polypropylene composites reinforced with bagasse flour known as Wood-Plastic Composite (WPC) . The ratio of the matrix (polypropylene) to reinforcement agent (pulp) was 50/50. The results showed that elastic modulus, tensile strength, bending strength and impact strengths of the produced composites were influenced by the pulping processes significantly. Furthermore, the composites which contained chemical pulps had higher strength and dimensional stability as well as less water absorption than that of containing mechanical pulp. In comparison to WPCs , the water absorption and dimensional stability of PPCs decreased and increased, respectively. Generally, the results showed very superior physical and mechanical properties in pulp - plastic composites than flour bagasse- plastic composites.