Influence of Fiber Surface Characteristics on the Flax/Polypropylene Interface

Abstract

Dew retted hackled long flax was treated with propyltrimethoxysilane, phenylisocyanate, and maleic acid anhydride modified polypropylene (MAA-PP). The wetting parameters of the untreated and treated flax fibers were obtained with dynamic contact angle measurements. The results showed that the treated flax fibers are less polar than the untreated flax fiber. The interfacial adhesion between the flax fibers and poly-propylene, respectively, maleic acid anhydride modified polypropylene, was studied with fiber pull-out tests. The highest increase in apparent shear stress was obtained by treatment of the flax fiber with MAA-PP.