Effect of Chemical Treatment and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on the Impact Strength of Miscanthus Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites Tailored for Helmet Applications

Abstract

The quest for the use of natural fibers in the reinforcement of polymers has risen due to various advantages of natural fibers over their synthetic counterparts. This study investigated the effects of chemical treatment and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the impact strength of miscanthus fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites tailored for helmet application. Water retting was employed to extract the fibers from the stems of miscanthus grass. The extracted fibers were washed, chemically treated, oven-dried, pulverized, and sieved to a fine particle size. Titanium dioxide nanoparticle contents of 5 wt% to 20 wt%, an interval of 5%, were used. Miscanthus fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite samples, with or without titanium dioxide nanoparticles, were produced via the injection molding process. The impact test on the set of composite samples was conducted by ISO 179 standards. The results indicated that the chemically treated miscanthus fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite had a better impact strength than the untreated miscanthus fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite. The addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhanced the impact strength of the composite. This study concludes that chemical treatment of miscanthus fibers and the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles are needed to enhance the mechanical properties of miscanthus fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite tailored for helmet application