Semichemical fibres of Leucaena collinsii reinforced polypropylene composites: Flexural characterisation, impact behaviour and water uptake properties

Leucaena collinsii is a legume genus with interesting properties for soil recovering. This study uses it as reinforcement in polypropylene reinforced composites. Composites from 20 to 50% w/w composites with a 6% of coupling agent (over the weight of fibre) were produced and injected. Flexural, impact and water uptake behaviour was studied. The flexural strength and stiffness increased as the reinforcement was increased. The impact strength decreased for un-notched samples, but increased for notched samples. The sample's fracture was observed by SEM. Both fibrilar and granular fibre fractures could be recognized. Regarding the water uptake, despite observing no influence on the diffusion coefficient, the maximum water uptake capacity enhanced when the L. collinsii was increased.