Title
Cellulose reinforced polyamide composites: effect of preparation method on composite properties
Authors
LWAZI MAGUNGA, SIFISO I. MAGAGULA, MARY T. MOTLOUNG, KGOMOTSO LEBELO and MOKGAOTSA J. MOCHANE

Received January 18, 2023
Published Volume 57 Issue 9-10 September-December
Keywords cellulose, nylon, polyamide, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), hornification, biosourced polyamides

Abstract
Over the years, the preparation method chosen for the preparation of cellulose reinforced nylon or polyamide (PA) composites has proven to be critical in determining the overall properties of the composites. For example, melt processing of cellulose reinforced nylon or PA composites presents challenges, such as (i) irreversible hornification of cellulose material upon drying, before melt processing; (ii) non-uniform dispersion or distribution of cellulose in the polymer matrix; (iii) thermal degradation of cellulose at elevated temperatures and (iv) structural integrity (fibrillation) and shortening of cellulose upon mechanical shearing during melt processing. All these challenges have the potential to compromise the overall properties of the prepared composites. In order to circumvent these challenges, several techniques have been used. For example, hornification, can be overcome by using a technique called wet feeding. Thermal degradation can be overcome by coating cellulose materials via either chemical or physical wrapping with a macromolecule or surfactant. The thermal degradation of cellulose can also be prevented by using in situ polymerization of PA via the ring opening polymerization technique during the manufacture of cellulose reinforced nylon composites, as well as solvent casting in formic acid/water mixtures. The incorporation of up to 50 wt% cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) in PA nanocomposites via solvent casting improved elastic modulus by 64% and tensile strength by 62%. The aim of this manuscript is to review preparation techniques of low cost, high strength composites using cellulose fibers and engineering plastics like polyamides (PAs, nylons).