Agave nonwovens in polypropylene composites – Mechanical and thermal studies

Abstract

Blends of agave fibres with wool waste, pineapple leaf fibres and polypropylene fibres were manufactured by needle-punching technique. Composites were prepared with polypropylene matrix by the process of compression moulding. The effects of blend nonwovens on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of composites were investigated. Composites containing agave-polypropylene (A-PP) nonwovens exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to the other two. Storage modulus of the composites was found to be maximum for agave–pineapple (A-PALF) composites due to the increased stiffness of the composites. Damping was found to be decreased with incorporation of agave nonwovens. As part of product development, parcel trays for automotives were developed from A-PP nonwovens by compression moulding technique. This study looks at the effective utilization of plant and animal fibre waste in composites.