Physicochemical, Morphological and Thermal Characterization of Composites Based on Olive Wood Flour

This study deals with the evaluation of the physicochemical, morphological and thermal properties of a biocomposite material based on polypropylene (PP) reinforced with vegetable fibers olive wood flour (OWF). Initially, the olive wood flour was chemically treated with a coupling agent (amino-silane) and then characterized to provide the modification influx. In a second step, various PP/OWF bio-composites with variable contents of OWF (0, 10, 20 and 30% by weight) were implemented by twin-screw extrusion and then shaped by injection molding. The effect of the OWF content on the one hand and the chemical modification of the latter by adding silane as coupling agent on the other hand, are the two parameters that are the subject of the present sensitivity study. Finally, the characterization results are compared and discussed. The significant influence of the treatment of OWF with the silane coupling agent is demonstrated, clearly demonstrating that the silane promotes the adhesion of the plant-based filler that is OWF with the PP polymer matrix.