Molybdenum disulphide—A traditional external lubricant that shows interesting interphase properties in pulp‐based composites

Compression molded composites were prepared through a water-assisted mixing of an aqueous suspension poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid), additive, and pulp fibers [thermomechanical (TMP) or dissolving (DP)]. The lubricating additives used magnesium stearate (MgSt) molybdenum disulphide (MoS2). composite materials had dry contents ranging from 30 to 70 wt% 5 additive relative the weight pulp. adsorption onto was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray analysis. DMA showed that MgSt MoS2 gave similar interphase properties for TMP samples at all loading contents, but combination improved overall DP-based composites. tensile modulus, fiber content (TMP DP), increased compared matrix factor 6.3 8.1, without lubricants, 8 10.7, with respectively. increase in melt viscosity observed lubricated greater TMP-based containing MoS2. At lubricant wt%, TMP, behaved as both compatibilizer.