Effect of mechanical treatment of sugar cane bagasse on properties of poly(ethylene oxide)

Sugar cane bagasse (SB) fibres were mechanically treated with a supermass colloider and blended in poly(ethylene oxide) matrix by solution mixing. Dimensions of the fibres diminished directly proportional to the mechanical passes. The fibres were well dispersed in the PEO matrix, with only few fibre pull-outs, especially for the highest mechanical passes. SEM, FTIR, XRD and DSC showed strong interfacial interaction and fluctuation in crystallinity with mechanical passes. The increase in mechanical treatment improved mechanical properties in line with the passes within experimental uncertainty. The presence of SB in PEO increased thermal stability which improved with the mechanical passes, except the interesting sudden drop at the highest passes.