Effect of corona discharge treatment on mechanical and thermal properties of composites based on miscanthus fibres and polylactic acid or polypropylene matrix

Abstract In this study, we investigated the mechanical and thermal properties of composites based on miscanthus fibres and poly lactic acid or polypropylene matrices. The treatment of fibres by corona discharge which results in a surface oxidation and an etching effect as shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, leads to an improvement of the interfacial compatibility between matrix and fillers. Hence the homogeneity of materials (checked by X-ray tomography and fractographic evaluation) is better, the mechanical properties measured by classical tensile tests are improved (Young moduli increase around 10–20%). Dynamic mechanical analysis performed on samples leads to similar conclusions (higher modules and slight increase of glass transition temperature hence restricted molecular movement). The thermal stability of composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. While the incorporation of raw fibres leads to a slight decrease of decomposition temperature, it is systematically increased as soon as fillers have been treated.