20. Effect of Acid Acrylic on Mechanical Properties and Swelling Behavior of Spear Grass Fiber Filled Polypropylene Composites

In recent years, polypropylene (PP) is an ideal choice for automotive components due to its lightweight and the flexibility in the manufacturing process. However, due to the environmental effect, the usage of PP has been reduced by reinforced green materials such as spear grass fiber (SGF). In this study, acrylic acid (AA) has been used as a compatibilizer between the matrix and fiber. The composite mixture was prepared in the formulation of 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% of treated and untreated composites. The tensile test suggests the composite with 5 wt% for treated and untreated composite have the highest value of tensile strength. The modulus of elasticity increased with the increasing in filler loading. In contrast, the elongation at break decreased with the increasing in filler loading. Moreover, the swelling test discerned that the increase in filler loading has increased the water absorption of composites. The presence of AA reduced the equilibrium water absorption percentage.