Characterization of polypropylene composites using yerba mate fibers as reinforcing filler

Abstract This study presents the preparation of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with yerba mate (YM) stick particles. Neat and post-consumer PP are used as the polymer matrices with 20, 30 and 40 wt% (w/w) YM fiber. Mechanical properties, including tensile, flexural and impact resistance, are determined, in addition to chemical and morphological analyses. The main findings show that the addition of filler from YM fiber increased the tensile and flexural strength of the neat and post-consumer PP composites up to a 30 wt% fiber content. The neat PP composites show better results than those with recycled PP, with PP20YM and PP30YM composites showing the best results. There is a gradual reduction in impact resistance with increasing YM content. Scanning electron microscopy shows a better adhesion between the matrix and filler in composites with 20 and 30 wt% YM, corroborating the tensile and flexural strength results.