A morphological and mechanical analysis of composites from modified bagasse fibers and recycled polyvinyl chloride

Bagasse raw materials were filled with recycled polyvinyl chloride composites via compounding and compression molding. In this research, unmodified, soda treated, and oxidized bagasse fibers were combined in different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) with pure PVC/recycled PVC (30:70 wt). The composites surfaces were examined as well as their mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, and biodegradation properties. It was found that uniformity in the distribution of the bagasse fibers in the microstructure of the polymer composites was a major factor affecting the mechanical properties. The oxidized bagasse fiber loaded composite matrix gives the best mechanical and biodegradation properties compared with the untreated and soda treated bagasse fibers. In addition to increasing modulus and tensile strength, fiber loading also reduced hardness. X‐ray diffraction investigation illustrated that introducing fiber to a p‐ PVC/r‐PVC matrix did not affect characteristic peak positions. Packaging applications can be further developed with these composite materials.