The effect of alkalization and fibre alignment on the mechanical and thermal properties of kenaf and hemp bast fibre composites: Part 1 – polyester resin matrix
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of fiber alignment and alkalization on the mechanical properties of the composites were measured to observe the effects of fibre alignment and alkylation on fiber properties.
About: This article is published in Composites Science and Technology.The article was published on 2004-07-01. It has received 642 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Flexural modulus & Flexural strength.
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TL;DR: In this article, an overview of the developments made in the area of kenaf fiber reinforced composites, in terms of their market, manufacturing methods, and overall properties is presented.
993 citations
TL;DR: Various fabrication techniques employed for the production of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are discussed and a detailed review of the research devoted to the analysis of their structure and properties by a variety of characterization techniques are presented.
957 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a brief outline of work that covers in the area of biocomposites, major class of biodegradable polymers, natural fibres, as well as their manufacturing techniques and properties has been highlighted.
Abstract: The growing ecological and environmental consciousness has driven efforts for development of new innovative materials for various end-use applications. Polymers synthesized from natural resources, have gained considerable research interest in the recent years. This review paper is intended to provide a brief outline of work that covers in the area of biocomposites, major class of biodegradable polymers, natural fibres, as well as their manufacturing techniques and properties has been highlighted. Various surface modification methods were incorporated to improve the fibre–matrix adhesion resulting in the enhancement of mechanical properties of the biocomposites. Moreover, an economical impact and future direction of these materials has been critically reviewed. This review concludes that the biocomposites form one of the emerging areas in polymer science that gain attention for use in various applications ranging from automobile to the building industries.
894 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a comprehensive source of reported literature involving dynamic mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, hybrid and nano composites and its applications and provide a perfect data to explore its industrial application primarily as cheaper construction and building materials for doing further research in this topic.
628 citations
TL;DR: Bast fibres are defined as those obtained from the outer cell layers of the stems of various plants and find use in textile applications and are increasingly being considered as reinforcements for polymer-matrix composites as they are perceived to be sustainable as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Bast fibres are defined as those obtained from the outer cell layers of the stems of various plants. The fibres find use in textile applications and are increasingly being considered as reinforcements for polymer–matrix composites as they are perceived to be “sustainable”. The fibres are composed primarily of cellulose which potentially has a Young’s modulus of ∼140 GPa (being a value comparable with man-made aramid [Kevlar/Twaron] fibres). The plants which are currently attracting most interest are flax and hemp (in temperate climates) or jute and kenaf (in tropical climates). This review paper will consider the growth, harvesting and fibre separation techniques suitable to yield fibre of appropriate quality. The text will then address characterisation of the fibre as, unlike man-made fibres, the cross section is neither circular nor uniform along the length.
556 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis of the effect of orientation of the fibres on the stiffness and strength of paper and other fibrous materials is made, and the results of the analysis are applied to certain samples of resin bonded fibrous filled materials and moderately good agreement with experimental results is found.
Abstract: An analysis is made of the effect of orientation of the fibres on the stiffness and strength of paper and other fibrous materials. It is shown that these effects may be represented completely by the first few coefficients of the distribution function for the fibres in respect of orientation, the first three Fourier coefficients for a planar matrix and the first fifteen spherical harmonics for a solid medium. For the planar case it is shown that all possible types of elastic behaviour may be represented by composition of four sets of parallel fibres in appropriate ratios. The means of transfer of load from fibre to fibre are considered and it is concluded that the effect of short fibres may be represented merely by use of a reduced value for their modulus of elasticity. The results of the analysis are applied to certain samples of resin bonded fibrous filled materials and moderately good agreement with experimental results is found.
3,284 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the breaking strength of tungsten or molybdenum wires, uniaxially aligned in a copper matrix, was found to be a linear function of the wire content.
Abstract: T ensile tests at a variety of temperatures have been carried out on composites consisting of tungsten or molybdenum wires, uniaxially aligned in a copper matrix. Both continuous and discontinuous wires have been used, and both brittle and ductile tungsten wires. It is found that the breaking strength is a linear function of the wire content. A simple theory to explain this is developed and auxiliary experiments to check the theory are described. Some simple predictions about the behaviour of fibre reinforced metals are made from the results.
2,122 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the thermal properties, crystallinity index, reactivity, and surface morphology of untreated and chemically modified fibers have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively.
Abstract: Plant fibers are rich in cellulose and they are a cheap, easily renewable source of fibers with the potential for polymer reinforcement. The presence of surface impurities and the large amount of hydroxyl groups make plant fibers less attractive for reinforcement of polymeric materials. Hemp, sisal, jute, and kapok fibers were subjected to alkalization by using sodium hydroxide. The thermal characteristics, crystallinity index, reactivity, and surface morphology of untreated and chemically modified fibers have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Following alkalization the DSC showed a rapid degradation of the cellulose between 0.8 and 8% NaOH, beyond which degradation was found to be marginal. There was a marginal drop in the crystallinity index of hemp fiber while sisal, jute, and kapok fibers showed a slight increase in crystallinity at caustic soda concentration of 0.8–30%. FTIR showed that kapok fiber was found to be the most reactive followed by jute, sisal, and then hemp fiber. SEM showed a relatively smooth surface for all the untreated fibers; however, after alkalization, all the fibers showed uneven surfaces. These results show that alkalization modifies plant fibers promoting the development of fiber–resin adhesion, which then will result in increased interfacial energy and, hence, improvement in the mechanical and thermal stability of the composites. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2222–2234, 2002
1,396 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the physicochemical properties of polypropylene-maleic anhydride copolymer copolymers were characterized by contact angle measurements, and the chemical structure was identified with ESCA and FTIR.
Abstract: Cellulose fibers were surface modified with polypropylene–maleic anhydride copolymer. The physical properties of such fibers were characterized by contact angle measurements, and the chemical structure was identified with ESCA and FTIR. ESCA showed that the modifying agent was localized at the surface of the fibers. The modified fibers were compounded with polypropylene, and composites with various amount of fibers were manufactured by injection molding. All mechanical properties were improved when treated fibers were used. SEM showed improved dispersion, wetting of fibers, and adhesion. The nature of adhesion was studied using FTIR. It was found that the surface modifying agent is covalently bonded to the fibers through esterification. The degree of esterification is enhanced by activating the modifying agent before fiber treatment. This study has shown the effects of treatment conditions on activation of reactive species and chemical reaction between fiber and modifying agent. Moreover, a better understanding has been achieved of the nature of adhesion for the system.
762 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the properties of two important types of fibers, the oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (FPF fiber) and the palm mesocarp fiber (fruit fiber) have been described.
Abstract: Oil palm fiber is an important lignocellulosic raw material for the preparation of cost-effective and environment-friendly composite materials. The morphology and properties of these fibers have been analyzed. The properties of two important types of fibers, the oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber and the oil palm mesocarp fiber (fruit fiber) have been described. The surface topology of the fibers has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis were used to determine the thermal stability of the fibers. Fiber surface modifications by alkali treatment, acetylation, and silane treatment were tried. The modified surfaces were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical constituents of the fibers were estimated according to ASTM standards. Mechanical performance of the fibers was also investigated. Microfibrillar angle of the fibers was theoretically predicted. The theoretical strength of the fibers was also calculated and compared with the experimental results. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 821–835, 1997
472 citations