화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.68, No.4, 681-686, 1998
Absorption of water at ambient temperature and steam in wood-polymer composites prepared from agrowaste and polystyrene
Hemp, banana, and agave fibers were employed for the preparation of wood-polymer composites using polystyrene in the ratio of 50 : 50 w/w. These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride (MA) and the effect of MA was studied on the absorption of water at ambient temperature and steam in wood-polymer composites made from said fibers and polystyrene. The absorption of water increases with increase in time from 2 to 30 h in all fiber composites. The maximum absorption of water was found in hemp fiber composites, and the minimum in agave fiber composites. The MA-esterified fiber composites showed less absorption of water than did the untreated fiber composites. Steam absorption in MA-treated and untreated fiber composites is higher than the water absorption in the respective fiber composites. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam in comparison to MA-treated fibers composites.