The role of Plant Tissues in Transcrystalline Crystallization of Maize /Polypropylene Composites

Abstract : Although polypropylene composites with different types of natural fibers have been investigated, there is no study considering the influence of the different tissues using only one plant type. The present study details the roles of plant tissues which were separated from maize stems. Composites were prepared using a ‘model’ thermoplastic polymer, isotactic polypropylene. The crystallization mechanism (transcrystallinity) strongly depends on the type of tissue, such as pith, parenchyma cell, vascular vessels, epidermis or sclerenchyma parts. A first relation between the composition of the surface of tissues and the crystallization mechanisms will be given.