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Effects of Alkali-Treatment and Feeding Route of Henequen Fiber on the Heat Deflection Temperature, Mechanical, and Impact Properties of Novel Henequen Fiber/Polyamide 6 Composites

In the present study, novel natural fiber composites, consisting of untreated and alkali(NaOH)-treated chopped henequen fibers and polyamide 6 (PA6), were produced by the hopper feeding and side feeding of henequen fiber, upon the extrusion process, and then by an injection molding process, respectively. The effects of the alkali treatment and fiber feeding route on the heat deflection temperature, tensile, flexural, and Izod impact properties of henequen fiber/PA6 composites were investigated. The composite properties were increased by alkali treatment and further increased, considerably, by side feeding of the henequen fiber, being supported by inspecting the fiber length distribution and the fracture surface of resulting composites. It was clarified that the side feeding of chopped henequen fibers was preferable to increase the composite properties, compared to hopper feeding. This study may be worthy of processing and manipulating the properties of novel natural fiber composites, consisting of agave plant-derived henequen fiber and engineering plastic PA6.