Three types of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylenes (PP-g-MAH) with different maleic anhydride (MAH) grafting degree and PP/kenaf fiber (KF) composites were manufactured using a twin-screw extruder. After manufacturing, the basic properties, tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated. It was confirmed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs that the compatibility of PP and KF was improved when PP-g-MAH was applied. In addition, the change in tensile strength and flexural strength of KF according to the fiber length was considered, and it was shown that KF had superior physical properties when mixed in fiber form rather than powder form.

말레인산 무수물(maleic anhydride, MAH)의 그라프트율이 다른 세 종류의 말레인산 그라프트 폴리프로필렌(MAH grafted polypropylene, PP-g-MAH)과 PP/케냐프 섬유(kenaf fiber, KF) 복합체를 이축압출기를 이용하여 제조한 후 기초특성, 인장강도와 굴곡강도를 평가하였다. PP-g-MAH가 적용될 때 PP와 KF의 상용성이 개선됨을 주사전자현미경(scanning electron microscope, SEM) 사진을 통해 확인하였다. 또한, KF의 섬유 길이에 따른 인장강도와 굴곡강도의 변화를 고찰하였으며, KF가 파우더 형태보다는 섬유상으로 혼합될 때 물리적 물성이 우수함을 나타내었다.

Keywords: polypropylene, kenaf fiber length, graft degree, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, mechanical properties.