The effect of water vapor treatment of wood flour on physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composite made of poplar fiber and recycled polypropylene

The effect of adding steamed and non-steamed fiber on physical and mechanical properties of the composites made of recycled polypropylene was investigated. Recycled polypropylene was used as a basic matrix at a 57% level, and poplar fibers were used at 180 °C for 1 h at a constant level of 40% in two forms: non-steamed and steamed. The ratio of steamed fibers to non-steamed fibers in composites was 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100, respectively. For all components, the coupling agent was maleic anhydride at a level of 3%. Mixing was done using an internal mixer at 180 °C and 60 rpm, and the samples were constructed by injection molding method. To investigate the effect of steam treatment on the fiber structure and crystallization, X-ray diffraction analysis and FTIR spectra were used. The results showed that the Steaming had no significant effect on resistance. But with steaming increased mechanical properties and physical properties of reduced.