Physico-Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate/ Yellow Poplar Wood Fiber Composites as a Function of Fiber Aspect Ratio, Fiber Loading, and Fiber Acetylation

In order to achieve completely biodegradable thermoplastic polymer composite, the development of yellow poplar wood fiber (YPWF)-reinforced cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) composites was carried out. The CAB/YPWF composite was prepared using a two-roll mill. Composite samples were prepared with two different fiber types with fiber content of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40wt %. While the untreated fibers (UTF) were used as obtained without treatment and chemical modification, the other fiber type, Acetylated Alkali-Extracted Steam Exploded Fibers (AAEF) were subjected to different physical and chemical treatments. Some physico-mechanical properties of the composites as well as the swelling characteristics in dimethylformamide were investigated. Also, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the morphological characteristics of the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites. The modified wood fibers (AAEF) enhanced both the physico-mechanical properties and the swelling characteristics of the composites studied.