Rheological behavior of polymer melts with natural fibers

Flow behavior of polymer liquids filled with short fibers (particulate fillers) was theoretically analyzed from the point of view of the free volume theory. Assuming that the filler addition changes the occupied volume, while the temperature variations cause mainly the free volume changes, a general expression describing the viscosity of the system as a function of the filter content, temperature variations, and rheological properties of the pure polymer liquid was derived. If the viscosity curve of the unfilled polymer is described by the Carreau equation, the corresponding viscosity curve of the filled polymer is also represented by an equation of Carreau type. However, this equation has other values of Newtonian viscosity and the power exponent in comparison with the initial equation. Both parameters depend on the filler content and temperature. The derived equation predicts a viscosity rise and a stronger non-Newtonian behavior of the system with increasing filler content. The temperature rise exerts an opposite effect on the rheological behavior. The theoretical predictions are in good accordance with viscosity measurements for low-density polyethylene and polystyrene melts filled with short cotton, flax, and hemp fibers. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.