Effect of cellulose whisker content on the properties of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/cellulose composites.

The reinforcing effect of cellulose whiskers, produced from banana waste fibres, has been investigated using poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) [EVA]/cellulose whisker composites. Cellulose whiskers, approximately 300 nm long and 30 nm wide, were obtained via a sulphuric acid hydrolysis method. The effects of the cellulose whisker loading on the thermal properties, mechanical properties and on the morphological features of the composites have been investigated.