A tannin–phenolic resin (40 wt% of tannin, characterized by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13 C NMR, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry) was used to prepare composites reinforced with sisal fibers (30–70 wt%). Inverse gas chromatography results showed that the sisal fibers and the tannin–phenolic thermoset have close values of the dispersive component and also have predominance of acid sites (acid character) at the surface, confirming the favoring of interaction between the sisal fibers and the tannin–phenolic matrix at the interface. The Izod impact strength increased up to 50 wt% of sisal fibers. This composite also showed high storage modulus, and the lower loss modulus, confirming its good fiber/matrix interface, also observed by SEM images. A composite with good properties was prepared from high content of raw material obtained from renewable sources (40 wt% of tannin substituted the phenol in the preparation of the matrix and 50 wt% of matrix was replaced by sisal fibers).

Tannin–phenolic resins: Synthesis, characterization, and application as matrix in biobased composites reinforced with sisal fibers

Influence of micro- and nano-fillers on chemico-physical properties of epoxy-based materials

Carbon black modified with 4‐hydroxymethylbenzenediazonium salt as filler for phenol‐formaldehyde resins and abrasive tools

The mechanical properties of sawdust reinforced vinyl ester resin composites post-cured in microwaves have been measured and evaluated in earlier studies. This basic but critical and important data have caused interests in the relevant industry in Australia. This study is therefore carried out to measure and evaluate the thermal properties of the composites with a view to benefit the civil and construction industry as the materials are used in the industry. The original contributions of this paper are that samples post-cured in microwaves, irrespective of the percentage by weight and particle size of sawdust, have higher glass transition temperatures than their counterparts post-cured in an oven; these imply that the stiffness of the samples post-cured in microwaves are higher than their peers. From previous study, it was discovered that the fracture toughness increased with increasing particulate loading. These properties are vital in civil engineering applications because civil structures need composites with high rigidity and fracture toughness. It is hoped that the discussions and results in this work would not only contribute towards the development of sawdust reinforced vinyl ester composites with better material properties, but also useful for the investigations of thermal and mechanical properties in other composites.

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Thermal properties of sawdust reinforced vinyl ester composites post-cured in microwaves: a pilot study

Hard Carbon for Na‐ion Batteries: From Synthesis to Performance and Storage Mechanism

Phenol formaldehyde was filled with glass powder to increase its flexural strength for civil and structural applications by a research centre on composites, University of Southern Queensland (USQ). To reduce costs, the centre wishes to fill in as much glass powder as possible subject to maintaining sufficient strength of the composites in structural applications. This project varies the percentage by weight of the glass powder in the composites from 5 to 30%. The specimens were then subjected to flexural tests. The results show that composite with 17.5% by weight of the glass hollow spheres produces the highest flexural strength and flexural modulus combined with a very good fluidity for casting. The maximum flexural strain was achieved with pure resin.

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Papers

Flexural Properties of Phenolic Resin Reinforced with Glass Powder: Preliminary Results