Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibres

Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000–2010

Studies on the use of natural fibers as replacement to man-made fiber in fiber-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities. Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability. However, the main disadvantages of natural fibers in composites are the poor compatibility between fiber and matrix and the relative high moisture sorption. Therefore, chemical treatments are considered in modifying the fiber surface properties. In this paper, the different chemical modifications on natural fibers for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites are reviewed. Chemical treatments including alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation, maleated coupling agents, isocyanates, permanganate and others are discussed. The chemical treatment of fiber aimed at improving the adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix may not only modify the fiber surface but also increase fiber strength. Water absorption of composites is reduced and their mechanical properties are improved.

Chemical Treatments of Natural Fiber for Use in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Review

Nature’s hierarchical materials

Natural fiber reinforced composites is an emerging area in polymer science. These natural fibers are low cost fibers with low density and high specific properties. These are biodegradable and non-abrasive. The natural fiber composites offer specific properties comparable to those of conventional fiber composites. However, in development of these composites, the incompatibility of the fibers and poor resistance to moisture often reduce the potential of natural fibers and these draw backs become critical issue. This review presents the reported work on natural fiber reinforced composites with special reference to the type of fibers, matrix polymers, treatment of fibers and fiber-matrix interface. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adv in Polymer Techn 18: 351–363, 1999

Natural fiber polymer composites: A review

SYNOPSIS Studies on structure and properties of natural vegetable fibers (NVF) show that composites made of NVF combine good mechanical properties with a low specific mass. The high level of moisture absorption by the fiber, its poor wettability, as well as the insufficient adhesion between untreated fibers and the polymer matrix lead to debonding with age. To build composites with high mechanical properties, therefore, a surface modification of the fibers is necessary. The existing physical and chemical NVF modification methods-e.g., plasma treatment or graft copolymerization-which are used for the development of NVF-polymer composite properties is discussed. It is shown that modified cellulose fiber-polymer interaction mechanisms are complex and specific to every definite system. By using an coupling agent, like silanes or stearin acid, the Young's modulus and the tensile strength increases, dependent on the resin, until 50%. Simultaneously, the moisture absorption of the composites decreases for about 60%. With other surface modifications, similar results are obtained. 0 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Properties and modification methods for vegetable fibers for natural fiber composites

Possibilities for improving the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of fibres

This article concerns the effectiveness of MAH-PP copolymers (graft copolymer of PP and maleic anhydride) as coupling agents in jute-polypropylene composites. The fiber treatment time and the MAH-PP concentration influenced the mechanical properties of the composites. Flexural strength of the composites with MAH-PP treated fibers was higher than that of unmodified fibers, and increased with fiber loading. The cyclic-dynamic values at an increasing load indicated that the coupling agent reduces the progress of damage. Dynamic strength (dynamic failure stress at load increasing test) of the MAH-PP modified composites is therefore raised by about 40%. SEM investigations confirm that the increase in properties is caused by improved fiber-matrix adhesion. There was less inclination for fibers to pull out of the matrix.

The influence of fiber-surface treatment on the mechanical properties of jute-polypropylene composites

Problems concerning the processing of thermoplastics reinforced with wood fillers are discussed. The high level of moisture absorption by the filler, its poor wettability, as well as the insufficient adhesion between untreated filler and the polymer matrix are reasons for the low tensile strength and high moisture sorption of composites. These shortcomings of composites can be prevented by the modification of the interface. The fiber-matrix compatibility and the composites properties can be improved by using some physical (e.g., steam explosion, corona, cold plasma) and chemical (cross-linking and acetylation of cellulose, grafting, use of coupling agents) methods. Modified wood-polymer interaction mechanisms are complex and specific for each definite system and processing conditions. Cellulose cross-linking and acetylation reduce hygroscopicity and swelling of wood and wood composites. Grafting of styrene to wood is effective for wood-polystyrene systems. The best coupling agent for wood-thermop...

Thermoplastics Reinforced with Wood Fillers: A Literature Review

The mechanical properties of tossa jute fibers were improved by using NaOH treatment process to improve the mechanical properties of composites materials. Shrinkage of fibers during this process has significant effects to the fiber structure, as well as to the mechanical fiber properties, such as tensile strength and modulus. Isometric NaOH-treated jute yarns (20 min at 20°C in 25% NaOH solution) lead to an increase in yarn tensile strength and modulus of ∼ 120% and 150%, respectively. These changes in mechanical properties are affected by modifying the fiber structure, basically via the crystallinity ratio, degree of polymerization, and orientation (Hermans factor). Structure–property relationships, developed for cellulosic man-made fibers, were used with a high correlation factor to describe the behavior of the jute fiber yarns. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 623–629, 1999

Jochen Gassan

Papers

Properties and modification methods for vegetable fibers for natural fiber composites

Possibilities for improving the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of fibres

The influence of fiber-surface treatment on the mechanical properties of jute-polypropylene composites

Thermoplastics Reinforced with Wood Fillers: A Literature Review

Alkali treatment of jute fibers: Relationship between structure and mechanical properties