
78 Green Composites from Natural Resources
4.3.1.1 Melt Mixing
Melt mixing using a radial ow (turbulent) mixer is a commonly used method for
compounding short reinforcing bers with thermoplastic polymers. The thermoplas-
tic polymer is initially heated to its melting temperature, and then hemp bers are
added to the mix. After mixing, the composite mixture can be rolled into sheet or
formed into other shape. Several mixing settings, including mixing duration, rotor
speed, and melt-chamber temperature, can determine the mixing results. Joseph etal.
(1999) combined sisal ber with PP using a Haake Rheocord mixer. They showed
that ineffectiv