Fabrication and Properties of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Waste Wool/Polypropylene Composites (NFRP)

천연섬유강화 폐양모/폴리프로필렌 복합재료(NFRP)의 제조 및 특성

In this study, novel waste wool/polypropylene NFRPs (natural fiber reinforced polymer composites), which are constituted with waste wool discarded as industrial scrap during manufacturing processes of woven fabrics and general purpose thermoplastic polypropylene (PP), were fabricated by means of compressionmolding and their mechanical and thermal properties were characterized. The mechanical properties of PP resin were significantly improved by an introduction of waste wool to PP. In particular, as the loading of waste wool was 50 vol% in the NFRP, the flexural strength of the NFRP was increased about 20%, the flexural modulus about 143%, the tensile strength about 76%, and the tensile modulus about 90% in comparison with each of PP control. In addition, the maximum value of the heat deflection temperature (HDT) obtained with the NFRP was $138^{\circ}C$ at a 50 vol% loading of waste wool. This is $21^{\circ}C$ higher than the HDT of PP control. The result here suggests that waste wool be a potential candidate for a reinforcing material of thermoplastic matrix resins.

본 연구에서는 산업현장에서 직물 제직 시 스크랩으로 버려지는 폐양모와 범용 열가소성수지인 폴리프로필렌(PP)으로 구성된 새로운 폐양모/PP NFRPs (Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites: 천연섬유강화 고분자복합재료)를 압축성형 방법으로 제조한 후 그들의 기계적, 열적 특성을 분석하였다. PP수지의 기계적 특성은 폐양모의 도입으로 두드러지게 향상되었다. 특히 폐양모의 함량을 50 vol%로 하여 NFRP를 제조하였을 때, PP 대비 NFRP의 굴곡강도는 약 20%, 굴곡탄성률은 약 143%까지 향상되었으며, 인장강도는 약 76%, 인장탄성률은 약 90% 크게 향상되었다. 그리고 열변형온도(HDT)는 최고 $138^{\circ}C$로 PP 대비 약 $21^{\circ}C$가 증가되는 결과를 보여주었다. 연구결과는 열가소성 매트릭스 수지의 보강소재로서 폐양모의 적용 가능성을 제시하였다.