Deformation and failure of sugarcane bagasse reinforced PP

Polypropylene composites were prepared from sugarcane bagasse fibers by extrusion and injection molding. Wood flour was used as reference filler in the study. The fiber content of the composites changed between 0 and 30 wt% in 5 wt% steps. Maleated polypropylene was used as coupling agent to improve interfacial adhesion. Mechanical properties were characterized by tensile and fracture testing, while local deformation processes were followed by...