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Mechanical Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Filled Engineering Thermoplastic Composites

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Abstract

In this study, engineering thermoplastic composites were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-filled nylon 6. MCC were added to nylon 6 using melt mixing to produce compounded pellets. The MCC-filled nylon 6 composites with varying concentrations of MCC (from 2.5 to 30 wt%) were prepared by injection molding. The tensile and flexural properties of the nylon 6 composites were increased significantly with the addition of MCC. The maximum strength and modulus of elasticity for the nylon 6 composites were achieved at a MCC weight fraction of 20 %. The Izod impact strength of composites decreased with the incorporation of MCC without any surface treatments and coupling agent. This observation is quite expected for filled polymer systems and has been commonly observed. There was a strong correlation between density and tensile (r = 0.94) and flexural modulus of elasticity (r = 0.9). MCC filled composites manufactured by injection method had highly uniform density distribution through their thickness. The higher mechanical results with lower density demonstrate that MCC can be used as a sufficient reinforcing material for low cost, eco-friendly composites in the automotive industry especially for under-the-hood applications (engine covers, intake manifolds and radiator end tanks) as well as in other applications such as the building and construction industries, packaging, consumer products etc.

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Acknowledgments

The republic of Turkey, Ministry of National Education has been greatly acknowledged for the scholarship of the researcher Alper Kiziltas to do this study at the University of Maine. The authors thank Chris West for the sample preparation. The authors would also like to thank Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) project ME09615-08MS and the Wood Utilization Research Hatch 2007–2008 project. This is fourth paper of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA

    Alper Kiziltas, Douglas J. Gardner, Yousoo Han & Han-Seung Yang

  2. Department of Forest Industry Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, University of Bartin, 74100, Bartin, Turkey

    Alper Kiziltas

Authors
  1. Alper Kiziltas
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  2. Douglas J. Gardner
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  3. Yousoo Han
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  4. Han-Seung Yang
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Correspondence to Alper Kiziltas.

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Kiziltas, A., Gardner, D.J., Han, Y. et al. Mechanical Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Filled Engineering Thermoplastic Composites. J Polym Environ 22, 365–372 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-014-0676-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-014-0676-5

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