Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) provide the customers with more alternatives in the material market due to their unique advantages. Poor fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion may, however, negatively affect the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting composites due to the surface incompatibility between hydrophilic natural fibers and non-polar polymers (thermoplastics and thermosets). A variety of silanes (mostly trialkoxysilanes) have been applied as coupling agents in the NFPCs to promote interfacial adhesion and improve the properties of composites. This paper reviews the recent progress in using silane coupling agents for NFPCs, summarizes the effective silane structures from the silane family, clarifies the interaction mechanisms between natural fibers and polymer matrices, and presents the effects of silane treatments on the mechanical and outdoor performance of the resulting composites.

Silane coupling agents used for natural fiber/polymer composites: A review

Fibril or particulate fillers used to reinforce polymeric composites are often inorganic, so, as two dissimilar materials cannot compatibilize with each other, the problem of adherence always exists. To solve this problem a third material can help as a coupling agent. A coupling agent should have the ability to adhere to both surfaces by means of different functional groups. Silane coupling agents are frequently used because of several outstanding aspects they have. This review is a survey on these coupling agents used in composites.

Silane Coupling Agents in Polymer-based Reinforced Composites: A Review

Sizing is a surface coating of organic materials applied to nearly all types of man-made fibres during their manufacture. In the case of glass fibres, sizing is probably the key component influencing the success or failure of most reinforcement products. This is due to the major role played by the sizing in the price, processiblity, and performance of that product. Due to its physical location on the fibre surface, sizing is also a critical component in the formation and properties of the fibre-matrix interphase. Therefore, any attempt to understand the science of the composite interphase must encompass an understanding of the science of sizing. In this paper we will review the role of sizings from fibre manufacture through to performance of composite parts. The review is illustrated by practical examples of sizing development and results from more fundamental studies of sizing application and absorption.

Sizing up the interphase: An insider's guide to the science of sizing

This paper is an overview of current understanding in the areas of composites made from biodegradable thermoplastics and wood fillers. The review finds that the composite properties depend on the type of wood filler, the choice of polymer matrix, the wood filler content, the compatibilization technique used and the processing parameters. The extent of interfacial adhesion and the filler morphology are identified as the underlying factors that control the composite properties. Future research needs are identified, including establishment of fundamental relationships between quantified interfacial adhesion and end-use properties and advanced modelling of biodegradation processes.

Composites of Wood and Biodegradable Thermoplastics: A Review

Thermoplastic matrix polymer composites have gained commercial success in the semistructural and structural applications. Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most versatile and widely used thermoplastics in the world because of its excellent properties like toughness, near-zero moisture absorption, excellent chemical inertness, low coefficient of friction, ease of processing and unusual electrical properties. This review is designed for comprehensive source of PE-based polymer composites research, including structure and classification of PE manufacturing/processing techniques for PE composites, and it also described different characterization methods for PE composites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterization methods were used to describe the thermal properties of PE composites. Morphological studies were explained by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) techniques. Rheol...

N.T. Huff

Papers

Effects of silane coupling agents on the interphase and performance of glass-fiber-reinforced polymer composites