The aim of this work is to use cotton fibers as reinforcement in polymeric composites materials using polystyrene as matrix and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) coupling agent. The composites were developed by first mixing in a single screw extruder and a co-rotation parallel twin screw extruder and injection molded. The composites were characterized by analysis mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical thermal and morphology. The results from the flexural and tensile strength demonstrate that the addition of 20% cotton fibers tends to increase in these properties; however there is increase when using a coupling agent. The impact resistance increased with the increase of load; however the results of the composites with coupling agent were lower than those without. The temperature of thermal deflection increased for all composites, but the increase for the composites with 20% cotton fiber was approximately 7 ºC. The results show that the addition of cotton fibers changes the initial temperature of wheight loss for the composites to temperatures close to 200 ºC. The DMTA analysis showed increasing in stiffness and the storage modulus with cotton addition. The micrographs showed a reduction in the pull-out fibers, due to a greater adhesion fiber / matrix with the use of compatibilizer.
Thermoplastic composites; cotton fibers; coupling agent
