Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites

Cellulose is the most abundant biomass material in nature. Extracted from natural fibers, its hierarchical and multi-level organization allows different kinds of nanoscaled cellulosic fillers—called cellulose nanocrystals or microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)—to be obtained. Recently, such cellulose nanoparticles have been the focus of an exponentially increasing number of works or reviews devoted to understanding such materials and their applications. Major studies over the last decades have shown that cellulose nanoparticles could be used as fillers to improve mechanical and barrier properties of biocomposites. Their use for industrial packaging is being investigated, with continuous studies to find innovative solutions for efficient and sustainable systems. Processing is more and more important and different systems are detailed in this paper depending on the polymer solubility, i.e., (i) hydrosoluble systems, (ii) non-hydrosoluble systems, and (iii) emulsion systems. This paper intends to give a clear overview of cellulose nanoparticles reinforced composites with more than 150 references by describing their preparation, characterization, properties and applications.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/2/4/728/pdf

Cellulosic Bionanocomposites: A Review of Preparation, Properties and Applications

Characterization and Properties of Natural Fiber Polymer Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Wood-plastic composites as promising green-composites for automotive industries!

Environmentally beneficial composites can be made by replacing glass fibres with various types of cellulose fibres. Fibres from pine or eucalyptus wood and also one-year crops such as coir, sisal, etc. are all good candidates. The poor resistance towards water absorption is one of the drawbacks of natural fibres/polypropylene composites. New natural fibres/polypropylene composites were made and the water absorption in them was studied by immersion of the composites in water at three different temperatures, 23, 50 and 70 °C. The process of absorption of water was found to follow the kinetics and mechanisms described by Fick's theory. In addition, the diffusivity coefficient was dependent on the temperature as estimated by means of Arrhenius law. A decrease in tensile properties of the composites was demonstrated, showing a great loss in mechanical properties of the water-saturated samples compared to the dry samples. The morphology change was monitored by scanning electron microscopy studies of the samples before and after exposure to water and the devastating effect of water on the fibre structure was shown.

Comparison of water absorption in natural cellulosic fibres from wood and one-year crops in polypropylene composites and its influence on their mechanical properties

Residual cellulose fibers from the paper industry have been used as reinforcements in recycled polypropylene (PP) composites. The main obstacle to obtaining good properties with this biocomposite i ...

Ana Espert

Papers

Comparison of water absorption in natural cellulosic fibres from wood and one-year crops in polypropylene composites and its influence on their mechanical properties

Thermal and thermomechanical properties of biocomposites made from modified recycled cellulose and recycled polypropylene

Emission of possible odourous low molecular weight compounds in recycled biofibre/polypropylene composites monitored by head-space SPME-GC-MS

Efficient P(3HB) extraction from Burkholderia sacchari cells using non-chlorinated solvents