Microcrystalline Cellulose as Reinforcing Agents for Polypropylene Composites

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in its micrometric dimensions has gained a surge of interest in polymer reinforcement. This paper examines empirically the properties of MCC reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites varying the MCC loading from 0-5%. Mechanical, thermal and physical properties were characterized using universal testing machines, shore D hardness tester, TGA, FTIR and XRD machines. The experimental results highlighted that the reinforcement of PP matrix with MCC, improved the properties of the composite gradually as the MCC loading increased. Tensile, hardness and impact properties were improved by 5%, 8% and 51%, respectively for 5% MCC reinforced PP composite. Therefore, these notable results exhibit the potential of reinforcement of PP matrix with MCC.