PP composites based on mechanical pulp, deinked newspaper and jute strands: A comparative study

In the present work, polypropylene-based composites reinforced with three types of randomly distributed short lignocellulosic fibers, namely mechanical pulp (MP), deinked pulp (DIP), and jute strands, were prepared and analyzed. Addition of 6% (wt/wt) of MAPP resulted in a significant enhancement in the tensile strength in line with the improvement of the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion making more effective the transfer of stress from the matrix to the rigid reinforcement. The mechanical properties of these composites were analyzed in terms of Bowyer–Bader and Hirsch models to fit the obtained experimental data. From the stress/strain curves and the fiber length distributions, it was possible to access to the orientation factor, the interfacial shear strength, the intrinsic tensile strength and the modulus of the fibers.