Abstract: Effects of fiber surface treatment and compatibilizers on mechanical properties and interface adhesion of polybutylene succinate (PBS)/coir composites were investigated, and mechanism of interfacial modification was discussed. The results indicated that a proper surface treatment as well as the addition of compatibilizers improved the tensile properties of the composites significantly. Scanning electron microscopic observation confirmed the enhancement of interfacial adhesion between the coir and PBS matrix, which resulted in an improvement in the mechanical properties of the composites.

Key words: coir, poly(butylene succinate), surface treatment, compatilizer, interface modification