Effect of nanoclay and magnesium hydroxide on some properties of HDPE/wheat straw composites

Since natural fiber/polymer composites are increasingly used, the development of safe and environmental friendly flame retarding bio-based composites is of great importance. But this issue must maintain the mechanical performance of these composites. To study these objectives, four levels of magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)₂ of (0, 10, 20, 30 phc) and two levels of nanoclay (0, 3 phc) were considered and incorporated into HDPE/wheat straw composites. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) was also used as a compatibilizer at constant content. The samples were prepared by melt compounding and injection molding processes, respectively. The some properties of samples including burning rate and mechanical properties (tensile and impact strengths) were tested based on the ASTM standard. The results showed that the burning rate of samples decreased with increasing the nanoclay and Mg(OH)₂ content. The tensile and impact strengths showed a marginal reduction by adding Mg(OH)₂ from 10 phc to 30 phc and the tensile modulus and impact strength revealed an increase by increasing the amount of nanoclay up to 3 phc. Generally, these results confirmed that the fire retarding and mechanical properties of HDPE/wheat straw composites could be significantly improved with an appropriate combination of the nanoclay and Mg(OH)₂ in the composites.     

Impact of succinic anhydride on the properties of jute fiber/polypropylene biocomposites

Chemical treatment is an often-followed route to improve the physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. In this study, the effect of chemical treatment on physical and mechanical properties of jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) biocomposites with different fiber loading (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were investigated. Before being manufactured jute fiber/PP composite, raw jute fiber was chemically treated with succinic anhydride for the chemical reaction with cellulose hydroxyl group of fiber and to increase adhesion and compatibility to the polymer matrix. Jute fiber/PP composites were fabricated using high voltage hot compression technique. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) tests were employed to evaluate the morphological properties of composite. Succinic anhydride underwent a chemical reaction with raw jute fiber which was confirmed through FTIR results. SEM micrographs of the fractured surface area were taken to study the fiber/matrix interface adhesion and compatibility. Reduced fiber agglomeration and improved interfacial bonding was observed under SEM in the case of treated jute fiber/PP composites. The mechanical properties of jute/PP composite in terms of Tensile strength and Young’s modulus was found to be increased with fiber loading up to 15 wt% and decreased at 20 wt%. Conversely, flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with fiber loading up to 10 wt% and start decreasing at 15 wt%. The treated jute/PP composite samples had higher hardness (Rockwell) and lower water absorption value compared to that of the untreated ones.     

Mechanical characterization of clay reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites at high temperature

This paper focuses on the influence of temperature conditions and the clay contents on enhancement of mechanical characterization of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were prepared using the melt mixing technique in a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Nanocomposites properties such as impact strength and ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, failure strain, Young’s modulus and toughness are calculated. The addition of clay to PP matrix was showed remarkable enhancement in mechanical properties at the temperature of 25 oC and 120 °C. Nearly 36 % and 160 % increase in the Young’s modulus and about 45 % and 62 % increase in the impact strength were observed at both room temperature (RT) and high temperature (HT), respectively. But, the tensile strength was not affected much. The basal spacing of clay in the composites was measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the surface morphology of the fractured surfaces and dispersion of the nanoclay.     

环氧化天然橡胶对天然橡胶/白炭黑湿法母炼胶性能的影响

将乳胶状的环氧化天然橡胶(ENR)作为界面改性剂应用于NR/白炭黑的湿法混炼,通过对比ENR改性处理的湿法母炼胶(NES)和未经改性处理的湿法母炼胶(NS),研究ENR对湿法母炼胶性能的影响。结果表明:胶料中的填料-填料网络主要是在硫化初期填料絮凝而形成,通过热处理能够降低NES的填料絮凝速率。与NS相比,不管有没有偶联剂存在,NES均具有更低的絮凝速率常数和由此导致的更弱的填料-填料网络;随着偶联剂用量的增加,胶料的300%定伸应力和耐磨性提高,且NES的提高幅度更大。分析认为,ENR一方面在白炭黑表面形成聚合物层,防止填料的絮凝;另一方面能够与硅烷偶联剂起协同作用改善填料-橡胶界面结合。     

Inherently Flame Retardant Nylon 6 Nanocomposite Fibers

In this study, inherently flame retardant nanocomposite nylon 6 fibers infused with nanoclay and intumescent additives were compounded and melt-spun. Two approaches were adopted to mitigate the loss of mechanical properties typically observed nanocomposite fiber systems: (a) additive particle size reduction; and (b) elastomer toughening of the nanocomposite system. As a result, the ductility of the FR nanocomposite formulations was improved significantly. Structural and morphological characterization of the melt-spun fibers using TEM and XRD demonstrated good dispersion of the additives and exfoliation of the nanoclay platelets. Microscale Combustion Calorimetry analysis demonstrated effective reduction of heat release capacity and thus significant enhancement of flame retardant performance of the compounded fibers.     

Electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/nanoclay nanofibrous mats for tissue engineering

Nanofibrous mats of poly (?-caprolactone)/nanoclay nanocomposites were fabricated using electrospinning method. Effects of nanoclay content of the nanocomposite on final nanofiber structures were investigated and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The results showed that the presence of the nanoclay promoted the creation of fibrous structure in comparison with solely poly (?-caprolactone). Furthermore, increase in nanoclay content led to the formation of more uniform nanofiber structures and caused a decrease in the mean nanofiber diameter. DSC results showed that the addition of nanoclay reduced the crystallinity of the nanocomposite in compared with pristine PCL. Studies of the mechanical properties, wettability and degradability showed that the presence of nanoclay improved tensile modulus, tensile strength, wettability and biodegradability of the nanocomposites. To evaluate the effect of nanoclay on the cell adhesion and bioactivity of the poly (?-caprolactone)/nanoclay nanocomposites, fibroblasts cells were seeded on the mats. The results showed that the prepared nanocomposite could be a potential candidate for tissue engineering.     

基于湿法混炼的天然橡胶/白炭黑/炭黑复合材料的性能研究

采用湿法工艺制备了含50 phr白炭黑的天然橡胶(NR)/白炭黑母炼胶,为改善湿法母炼胶的定伸应力和耐磨性,添加炭黑作为第二相填料,研究炭黑用量和混炼工艺对复合材料性能的影响。结果表明：炭黑的加入顺序对NR/白炭黑/炭黑复合材料的性能具有重要影响。在热处理工序之后加入炭黑,能够增强填料-橡胶相互作用,提高复合材料的定伸应力和耐磨性;在热处理工序之前加入炭黑,能够发挥白炭黑/炭黑的协同效应,改善填料分散性,降低滚动阻力和提高抗湿滑性能。     

Effect of reinforcement and chemical treatment of fiber on The Properties of jute-coir fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites

Present research investigates the mechanical properties of jute-coir fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene (PP) composite with fiber loading variation and observes the effect of chemical treatment of fiber on property enhancement of the composites. Composites were manufactured using hot press machine at four levels of fiber loading (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%). Fiber ratio’s were varied (jute:coir=1:1, 3:1 and 1:3) for 20 % fiber loaded composites. Both jute and coir fiber was treated using 5 % and 10 % NaOH solutions. Composites were also prepared using treated fiber with jute-coir fiber ratio of 3:1. Tensile, flexural, impact and hardness tests and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis were conducted for characterization of the composites. Tensile test of composite showed a decreasing trend of tensile strength and increasing trend of the Young’s modulus with increase in fiber loading. During flexural, impact and hardness tests, the flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength and hardness values were found to be increased with increase in fiber loading. All these properties enhanced with the enhancement of jute content except impact strength. 5 % NaOH treatment provided an improving trend of properties whereas, 10 % NaOH treatment showed the reverse one. The FTIR analysis of the composites indicated decrease of hemicelluloses and lignin content with alkali treatment.     

Oil palm fiber (OPF) and its composites: A review

Twenty first century has witnessed remarkable achievements in green technology in material science through the development of biocomposites. Oil palm fiber (OPF) extracted from the empty fruit bunches is proven as a good raw material for biocomposites. The cellulose content of OPF is in the range of 43%–65% and lignin content is in the range of 13%–25%. A compilation of the morphology, chemical constituents and properties of OPF as reported by various researchers are collected and presented in this paper. The suitability of OPF in various polymeric matrices such as natural rubber, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, phenol formaldehyde, polyurethane, epoxy, polyester, etc. to form biocomposites as reported by various researchers in the recent past is compiled. The properties of these composites viz., physical, mechanical, water sorption, thermal, degradation, electrical properties, etc. are summerised. Oil palm fiber loading in some polymeric matrices improved the strength of the resulting composites whereas less strength was observed in some cases. The composites became more hydrophilic upon addition of OPF. However treatments on fiber surface improved the composite properties. Alkali treatment on OPF is preferred for improving the fiber–matrix adhesion compared to other treatments. The effect of various treatments on the properties of OPF and that of resulting composites reported by various researchers is compiled in this paper. The thermal stability, dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, etc. of the composites improved upon incorporation of OPF. The strength properties reduced upon weathering/degradation. Sisal fiber was reported as a good combination with OPF in hybrid composites.     

Study on mechanical and thermal properties of fiber-reinforced Epoxy/Hybrid-silica composite

Recently, carbon fiber composites have been widely used as structural reinforcement materials of buildings, replacing reinforcing bars or concrete. And the increase in use of super fibers such as aramid and high strength PE, which is aimed at improving the reinforcement properties, has resulted in a demand for a resin system with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. In this research, a fiber-reinforced composite has been produced by using the super fibers such as carbon fiber or aramid fiber, reinforcement resin and the silica hybrid compound containing epoxy group. This study was carried out to confirm the effect of the silica hybrid on mechanical properties, heat resistance and adhesion strength of a fiber-reinforced epoxy composite, which was produced by blending silica or introducing silica hybrid through covalent bonds. And the silica hybrid containing epoxy group, which may be introduced to the structure of fiber-reinforced epoxy composite through covalent bonds caused by reaction with a hardener, has been used, so that the heat resistance and adhesion strength could be improved.     

Effects of surface treatments on Mechanical properties of Continuous basalt fibre cords and their Adhesion with rubber matrix

To improve the mechanical properties and the adhesion to a natural rubber (NR)/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix, continuous basalt fibre (CBF) cords with and without a silane coupling agent (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (KH550) treatment were dipped into a typical resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) system. The breaking force and elongation at break of the cords were tested using a universal testing machine. The adhesive properties were evaluated by both static mode and dynamic (fatigue) mode with H-shape cord-rubber samples. An elastomer testing system was employed to conduct the fatigue test, and the evolution of the adhesive properties between the CBF cord and the NR/SBR matrix was tracked. The interfacial fracture caused by H pull out and fatigue were both observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of this investigation show that the RFL-dipping treatment can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the CBF cord and its adhesion to the NR/SBR matrix, and the pre-treatment of the CBF cord with KH550 can further improve the interfacial fatigue property.     

Effect of nanoclay incorporation method on mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of starch-based films

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of nanoclay incorporation procedure on the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of starch/nanoclay composite films. Cassava starch films were prepared with (nanocomposite) and without nanoclay (control) in two steps: firstly the production of extruded pellets and secondly thermo-pressing. The nanocomposite films were prepared via two different methods: in D samples the nanoclay was dispersed in glycerol and subsequently incorporated into the starch; and in ND samples all ingredients were added in a single step before the extrusion. All the composite-films were prepared with cassava starch using 0.25 g of glycerol/g of starch and 0.03 g of nanoclay/g of starch. Control samples showed V_A-type crystallinity induced by the manufacturing process and the nanocomposites presented a semicrystalline and intercalated structure. The nanoclay improved the water vapor barrier properties of the starch film and this effect was more pronounced in D samples, where the water vapor permeability (K^w) was 60% lower than that of the control samples. The K^w reduction was associated with decreases in the effective diffusion coefficient (approximately 61%) and in the coefficient of solubility (approximately 22-32%). On the other hand, the incorporation of nanoclay increased the tensile strength and the rigidity of the films and this effect was more significant when the nanoclay was dispersed in glycerol. Thus, the incorporation of nanoclay into starch-based films is a promising way to manufacture films with better mechanical and water vapor barrier properties.     

Effect of Ni-coated short carbon fibers on the mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy composites

Ni-coated short carbon fibers (Ni-SCFs) were prepared using an electrodeposition method. Short carbon fiber (SCF) reinforced epoxy composites were prepared by changing the fiber content (0.1–0.7 wt%). To investigate the effect of Ni-coated short carbon fibers on the mechanical and electrical properties of the composites, we prepared two kinds of reinforcements: the short carbon fibers treated by 400 °C (400 °C treated SCFs) and Ni-SCFs. Fracture characteristics of the composites revealed the Ni coatings and the epoxy matrix had a better interface, so that the results of tensile and bending strength were better in epoxy/Ni-SCFs composites than those in epoxy/400 °C treated SCFs composites. The 400 °C treated SCFs decreased the electrical resistivity of the epoxy composites, compared to the pure epoxy. However the epoxy/Ni-SCFs composites had lower electrical resistivity than epoxy/400 °C treated SCFs with the same fiber content.     

The application of gas plasma technologies in surface modification of aramid fiber

Gas plasma technologies have been utilized to improve the surface properties of fibers in many applications from textiles to fiber-reinforced composites since the 1960s. This review discusses the feasibility and characteristics of gas plasma technologies applied to aramid fiber. The influence of various plasma treatments on the chemical and mechanical properties of aramid fibers as well as fiber-reinforced composites is described. The moisture regain is emphasized to achieve good bonding between aramid fibers and polymer matrix and to enhance the surface modification of aramid fiber and mechanical properties of the composites. More sophisticated technologies such as plasma-initiated graft polymerization are also discussed to highlight very recent developments.     

Mechanical behavior of composites reinforced with fibers caroa

Composites were prepared with 13, 23 30 and 40 % fiber and evaluated the mechanical performance in tensile, flexural and impact. The mechanical properties of these composites were also evaluated function of time at 110 °C thermal exposure. Caroa fibers were characterized by techniques such as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the best mechanical properties were achieved for composites containing 23 to 30 % fiber. The incorporation of 23 % fiber caroa increased both the modulus of elasticity in the tensile test as the flexural strength and impact, the composite with 30 % fiber caroa showed higher tensile strength. The results show that the tensile and flexural strength of the composite decreased with time of thermal exposure. The thermal aging at 110 °C caused a decrease in tensile properties of the composites.     

Effect of the low and radio frequency oxygen plasma treatment of jute fiber on mechanical properties of jute fiber/polyester composite

We investigated the surface modification of jute fiber by oxygen plasma treatments. Jute fibers were treated in different plasma reactors (radio frequency “RF” and low frequency “LF” plasma reactors) using O₂ for different plasma powers to increase the interface adhesion between jute fiber and polyester matrix. The influence of various plasma reactors on mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced polyester composites was reported. Tensile, flexure, short beam shear tests were used to determine the mechanical properties of the composites. The interlaminar shear strength increased from 11.5 MPa for the untreated jute fiber/polyester composite to 19.8 and 26.3 MPa for LF and RF oxygen plasma treated jute fiber/polyester composites, respectively. O₂ plasma treatment also improved the tensile and flexural strengths of jute fiber/ polyester composites for both plasma systems. It is clear that O₂ plasma treatment of jute fibers by using RF plasma system instead of using LF plasma system brings about greater improvement on the mechanical properties of jute/polyester composites.     

Mechanical properties of denim fabric reinforced poly(lactic acid)

Denim, a twilled cotton fabric, was used to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The denim fabric reinforced composites with different numbers of denim layers were fabricated by using a hand layup method. The impact, tensile, and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were observed with increasing denim layers to examine the reinforcing effect of denim fabrics. Numerical analysis was carried out to model the elastic modulus of the composite by using a commercial software. Three-dimensional geometry of the denim fabric reinforced PLA composite was generated through a CAD program, and the elastic modulus was calculated by applying uniform deformation on one surface. The impact strength, tensile strength, and thermal properties of the composites were improved by piling denim fabrics. The denim fabric reinforced composites exhibited outstanding impact strength due to the retarded crack propagation as well as large energy dissipation. The 3 layer denim reinforced composite showed best results among all specimens, and its impact strength, tensile strength, and tensile modulus were measured to be 82 J/m, 75.76 MPa, and 4.65 GPa, respectively. The PLA/denim composites have good mechanical properties and can substitute traditional composites such as glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforced composites.     

Effect of kenaf and EFB fiber hybridization on physical and thermo-mechanical properties of PLA biocomposites

Kenaf/empty fruit bunch/polylactic acid (kenaf/EFB/PLA) hybrid biocomposites were prepared using hot press technique. The ratio of fiber to polylactic acid was set at 60:40 with 1:1 ratio between kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibers. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid biocomposites were subsequently characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and water absorption tests. Test results indicated that mechanically stronger fiber was able to support the weaker fiber. Hybrid fiber biocomposite had higher crystallinity as compared to single fiber biocomposite. Water absorption of hybrid composite was higher as compared to single fiber composite. Thermal result revealed that hybridization of fiber was not significantly influence the thermal properties of composites. However, the presence of two different fibers proposed good wettability properties, which could reduce the formation of voids at the fibers-polymer interface and produce composites with high stiffness and strength.     

Modeling and experimental validation of tensile properties of sugar palm fiber reinforced high impact polystyrene composites

Sugar palm fiber is one of the most abundant natural fibers used in biocomposites. However, prediction of the mechanical properties of such natural fiber reinforced composites is still challenging. Most of the theoretical modelings are based the micromechanical method. There have been little studies involving statistical approach for prediction of mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced composites. In this study, the tensile properties of short sugar palm fiber-reinforced high impact polystyrene (SPF-HIPS) composites obtained by means of statistical approach were investigated and compared with the experimental observations and with micromechanical models available in the literature. Statistical approach was used to predict the performance of the composite part with different fiber loadings. A two-parameter Weibull distribution function was used to model the fiber length distribution in the composite. For the experimental validation, the composites were prepared by hot compression technique for different fiber loadings (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 % and 50 % by weight). Tensile testing of the composites was carried out according to ASTM D638 to obtain the composites tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. Experimental results showed that the tensile strength of the composite reduced due to the addition of sugar palm fibers, whereas the elastic modulus increased by a factor of up to 1.34. The current statistical model predicted the tensile properties of SPF-HIPS composite close to the experimental values. It was found that statistical approach with standard micromechanical models can be used to predict the mechanical properties of sugar palm fiber reinforced HIPS composites. Hence, this study could assist in decisions regarding the design of natural fiber reinforced composite products.