PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SPARTIUM JUNCEUM L FIBER FILLED POLYCARBONATE COMPOSITES APPLICABLE IN THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

The aim of this study is the modification of the polycarbonate (PC) as synthetic polymer with the natural polymer -Spartium junceum L (SJL) fibers to obtain a new biodegradable polymer material.Spanish broom (Spartium junceum L) was chosen as reinforcement for PC composites because of her low cost, light weight, renewability, biodegradability and easily availability in nature.The effect of different content of SJL fiber on the properties of PC/SJL composites was investigated.The PC composites reinforced with randomly oriented, short Spartium junceum L. fibers were prepared in Brabender mixer and hydraulics press.Mechanical properties of prepared PC/SJL fiber composites were analysed using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile tests.The morphology of the composites was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The chemical properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).The obtained results show that the SJL fibers increased the tensile strength and loss modulus as well as decreased the elongation of composites.The SEM analysis revealed that good adhesion between SJL fiber as filler and PC matrix was observed.The resulting PC/SJL fiber composites have the potential to be used in the automotive industry.