Abstract

GONZALEZ MANCILLA, Yenny Marlén; SALAMANCA SARMIENTO, Juan Rodrigo  and  VARGAS FLOREZ, José Antonio. The effect of potato starch modified as a coupling agent in polymerwood fiber composites. Prospect. [online]. 2018, vol.16, n.1, pp.107-113. ISSN 1692-8261.  https://doi.org/10.15665/rp.v16i1.1236.

In composite materials it is important to achieve a good bond between the matrix and the reinforcement, for which a coupling agent is used. The effect of modified potato starch as a coupling agent on the mechanical strength and interface morphology of a polymer-wood sawdust compound was studied. Recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE) of 70 to 80% w / w, wood fibers (sawdust) 15 to 25% were used, which were dried and classified to 60 mesh size and modified potato starch (5 to 15%), as a coupling agent. The raw materials were mixed, formed by hot extrusion, at 110 ° C (inlet) and 210 ° C (outlet). The material obtained was molded and pressed. Four mixtures were manufactured, and sheets were obtained to manufacture test pieces for tensile and bending tests, 32 were selected for each mixture. The results showed that the modified potato starch increased the tensile and flexural strength of the compound, with respect to the samples without coupling agent. The impregnation of the fibers with the matrix was observed when using modified potato starch as coupling agent, to which the increase in the resistance is attributed.

Keywords : Coupling agent; Potato starch; Reinforced polymers; Recycling of polymers; Composites.

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