The influence of paper type on the properties of structural paper – Polypropylene composites

Abstract In this work, different types of paper were used for producing cellulose reinforced polypropylene composites with MAPP as a coupling agent. The samples were prepared by a film stacking method of the polymer and paper layers, followed by hot pressing in order to fabricate structural composite laminates. Virgin copy, filter and newspaper were used as reinforcements for producing composites with varying paper content. The influence of paper type and content on the mechanical and physical properties of the laminates was investigated and discussed in detail. Remarkable results for tensile and bending test were obtained for copy and newspaper composites at a paper content of 30 and 40 vol.%, indicating a high potential for constructive and industrial applications of the laminates. Further characterization was carried out by Charpy impact test, water uptake study, TGA and light microscopic analysis. To summarize the characterization, structural paper reinforced composites with attractive properties were obtained.