Effect of fiber surface treatments on mechanical and abrasive wear performance of polylactide/jute composites

The main focus of this work is to improve the adhesion of jute fiber with polylactide (PLA). For this purpose, surface of the jute fiber was modified by alkali, permanganate, peroxide and silane treatments. The surface modified fibers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Unidirectional composites were prepared with treated jute fibers and PLA matrix by hot pressing of solvent impregnated prepregs. Surface treatments resulted in enhancement of tensile and flexural properties and reduction in Izod impact strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed that, treated composites have higher storage modulus and lower tangent delta with respect to untreated composite. The degree of interfacial adhesion between the jute fiber and PLA was estimated using adhesion parameter obtained through DMA data. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed a higher thermal stability for silane treated composites. Experimental results on abrasive wear tests revealed that the wear resistance of composite is sensitive to fiber/matrix adhesion.     

Study on the mechanical properties and thermal properties of jute and banana fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

The aim of the present study is to investigate and compare the mechanical and thermal properties of raw jute and banana fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. To improve the mechanical properties, jute fiber was hybridized with banana fiber. The jute and banana fibers were prepared with various weight ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100) and then incorporated into the epoxy matrix by moulding technique to form composites. The tensile, flexural, impact, thermal and water absorption tests were carried out using hybrid composite samples. This study shows that addition of banana fiber in jute/epoxy composites of up to 50% by weight results in increasing the mechanical and thermal properties and decreasing the moisture absorption property. Morphological analysis was carried out to observe fracture behavior and fiber pull-out of the samples using scanning electron microscope.     

Strength improvement in injection-molded jute-fiber-reinforced polylactide green-composites

The mechanical properties of green-composites based on polylactic acid (PLA) with jute fibers were investigated. A long fiber pellet was developed to obtain a high aspect ratio of residual fiber after injection molding. Comparative studies were carried out, where shorter fiber pellets were compounded by different screw configurations using a twin-screw extruder. To interpret the results of our mechanical tests, the fiber geometry, dispersion state, and fiber fracture surfaces after tensile testing were analyzed. We found that the composites made of short fiber pellet (which suffer high compound intensity), exhibited optimal mechanical performance. Although, compounding with a twin-screw extruder decreased the overall aspect ratio of residual fibers, we observed that it significantly facilitated both the dispersion of the jute yarn to jute bundle and the decohesion of jute bundle to elementary fibers. This fiber separation caused by high intensity mixing led to efficient load transfer from matrix to fiber, and improvement of interfacial strength. These findings provide us with an insight into the critical parameters required to develop a high performing jute/PLA composite.     

电子束固化复合材料界面

电子束固化复合材料界面粘结性能较低是急待解决的问题。利用阳极氧化技术和偶联剂涂层对碳纤维表面进行处理。处理前后的碳纤维表面性能利用SEM、XPS和接触角测试方法进行分析,通过层间剪切强度表征电子束固化复合材料界面粘结性能,并且与热固化复合材料进行对比。结果表明: 当碳纤维在酸性电解液中进行阳极氧化时,有利于提高电子束固化复合材料界面粘合性能,在碱性电解液中进行阳极氧化时, 则导致较低界面粘接性能。阳极氧化与偶联剂双重增效作用能够提高电子束固化复合材料界面粘合性能。     

Effect of plasma treatment on mechanical properties of jute fiber/poly (lactic acid) biodegradable composites

Surface treatment of natural fibers is one of the important methods to improve the mechanical properties of the composite material. In this paper, plasma treatment (PT) for various exposure timings (30, 60, 90, and 120?s) was performed to study the mechanical properties of jute fiber and its composites using poly (lactic acid) (PLA) as the matrix. The results were compared with alkali (AT) and plasma treated (PT) fiber composites. Bundle fiber test was carried out for untreated, AT, and PT jute fiber composites. PT fiber composites showed superior properties compared to other treatments. Micro-droplet test results showed that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of PT fiber composite is higher than that of AT fiber composites. Mechanical properties and hardness were increased on subjecting the fiber to plasma treatment. Tensile strength, young’s modulus and flexural strength were increased in an order of 28, 17, and 20%, respectively, for plasma polymerized jute fiber composites. Moreover, plasma polymerization leads to increase (>20%) in the flexural strength than untreated fiber composites. It is inferred that plasma treatment improves the interfacial adhesion between the jute fiber and PLA. These results were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations of the fractured surfaces of the composites. Overall, plasma polymerization is an effective and eco-friendly method for the surface modification of the lingo cellulosic fiber to increase the compatibility between the matrix (hydrophobic) and fiber (hydrophilic).     

Reinforcing potential of micro- and nano-sized fibers in the starch-based biocomposites

Starch-based biocomposites reinforced with jute (micro-sized fiber) and bacterial cellulose (BC) (nano-sized fiber) were prepared by film casting. Reinforcement in the composites is essentially influenced by fiber nature, and amount of loading. The optimum amount of fiber loading for jute and bacterial cellulose in each composite system are 60 wt% and 50 wt% (of starch weight), respectively. Mechanical properties are largely improved due to the strong hydrogen interaction between the starch matrix and cellulose fiber together with good fiber dispersion and impregnation in these composites revealed by SEM. The composites reinforced with 40 wt% or higher bacterial cellulose contents have markedly superior mechanical properties than those reinforced with jute. Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the optimum 50 wt% bacterial cellulose reinforced composite averaged 2.6 GPa and 58 MPa, respectively. These values are 106-fold and 20-fold more than the pure starch/glycerol film. DMTA revealed that the presence of bacterial cellulose (with optimum loading) significantly enhanced the storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the composite, with a 35 °C increment. Thermal degradation of the bacterial cellulose component occurred at higher temperatures implying improved thermal stability. The composites reinforced with bacterial cellulose also had much better water resistance than those associated with jute. In addition, even at high fiber loading, the composites reinforced by bacterial cellulose clearly retain an exceptional level of optical transparency owing to the effect of the nano-sized fibers and also good interfacial bonding between the matrix and bacterial cellulose.     

Combined effects of fiber/matrix interface and water absorption on the tribological behaviors of water-lubricated polytetrafluoroethylene-based composites reinforced with carbon and basalt fibers

Tribological behaviors of two PTFE-based composites reinforced with carbon fibers and basalt fibers sliding against stainless steel under water lubrication were investigated and compared with those of pure PTFE. Results showed that carbon fibers were well bonded with PTFE matrix by dendritic PTFE nano-ribbons in a Boston ivy-like manner, but the basalt fibers were poorly bonded with the matrix. Due to the great accelerating effect of poor fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion on water absorption, BF/PTFE with the highest crystallinity unexpectedly showed the highest water absorption, resulting in serious matrix plasticization and degradation of fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion. As a result, as the reinforcement failure of basalt fibers occurred, BF/PTFE exhibited the highest wear rate. Instead, because good fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion was favor of the resistance to water intrusion, CF/PTFE composite was not dominated by remarkable matrix plasticization and fiber/matrix interface degradation, and showed the lowest wear rate.     

Creep and dynamic mechanical behavior of PP–jute composites: Effect of the interfacial adhesion

The dynamic mechanical response and the short term creep-recovery behavior of composites made from bi-directional jute fabrics and polypropylene were studied. In order to improve the compatibility of the polar fibers and the non-polar matrix, two alternatives were compared: the addition of coupling agents and the chemical modification of the fibers. In the first case, two commercial maleated polypropylenes and lignin, a natural polymer, were used. In the second approach, the fibers were esterified using a commercial alkenyl succinic anhydride. The degree of interfacial adhesion was inferred from the measured properties and confirmed by the observation of the composite fractured surface. The maleated polypropylenes acted as compatibilizers since they were able to join the fibers to the neat PP, locating themselves in the interphase region. On the other hand, a clear separation between fibers and matrix could be observed when lignin was used as compatibilizing agent and when the chemically modified fibers were used to prepare the composite. The creep deformation could be directly related to the interfacial properties. Bürgers model parameters were calculated from the creep part of the curves, and the recovery part was modeled using these values. A very good agreement between experimental data and theoretical curves were obtained in the creep region, although small discrepancies were found in the recovery part. The feasibility of the construction of a master curve (using the time–temperature principle) to predict long term creep behavior of the composites was investigated.     

Nondestructive sensing evaluation of surface modified single-carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites by electrical resistivity measurement

Nondestructive sensing of a single-carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites was evaluated by the measurement of electrical resistivity under reversible cyclic loading. For the strain–stress sensing, the strain up to the maximum load of a bare carbon fiber itself is larger than that of carbon fiber composite. As curing temperature increased, apparent modulus up to the maximum load increased and the elapsed time became shorter. Higher residual stress might contribute to the improved interfacial adhesion. The strain up to the maximum load at low temperature was larger than that at higher temperature. The strain of electrodeposition (ED) treated carbon fiber was smaller than that of the untreated carbon fiber composite until the maximum load reached. This could be due to higher apparent modulus of composite based on the improved interfacial shear strength (IFSS). Since the electrical resistivity was responded well quantitatively with various parameters, such as matrix modulus, the fiber surface modification, the electrical resistivity measurement can be a feasible method of nondestructive sensing evaluation for conductive fiber reinforced composites inherently.     

Inherent sensing and interfacial evaluation of carbon nanofiber and nanotube/epoxy composites using electrical resistance measurement and micromechanical technique

Inherent sensing of load, micro-damage and stress transferring effects were evaluated for carbon nanotube (CNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF)/epoxy composites (with various added contents) by an electro-micromechanical technique, using the four-point probe method. Carbon black (CB)/epoxy composites, with conventional nanosize material added, were used for the comparison with CNT and CNF composites. Subsequent fracture of the carbon fiber in the dual matrix composites (DMC) was detected by acoustic emission (AE) and by the change in electrical resistance, ΔR due to electrical contacts of neighboring CNMs. Stress/strain sensing of the nanocomposites was detected by an electro-pullout test under uniform cyclic loading/subsequent unloading. CNT/epoxy composites showed the best sensitivity to fiber fracture, matrix deformation and stress/strain sensing, whereas CB/epoxy composite exhibited poorer sensitivity. From the apparent modulus (as a result of matrix modulus and interfacial adhesion), the stress transferring effects reinforced by CNT was highest among three CNMs. The thermodynamic work of adhesion, W_a as found by dynamic contact angle measurements of the CNT/epoxy composite as a function of added CNT content was correlated and found to be consistent with the apparent mechanical modulus. Uniform dispersion and interfacial adhesion appear to be key factors for improving both sensing and mechanical performance of nanocomposite. Thermally treated-CNF composites exhibited a slightly higher apparent modulus, whereas higher testing temperatures appeared to lower the apparent modulus.     

Analysis of effective elastic modulus for multiphased hybrid composites

Short fiber reinforced composites inherently have fiber length distribution (FLD) and fiber orientation distribution (FOD), which are important factors in determining mechanical properties of the composites. Since the internal structure has a direct effect on the mechanical properties of the composites, a Micro-CT was used to observe the three dimensional structure of fibers in the composites and to acquire FLD and FOD. It was successful to investigate FLD, FOD, and fiber orientation states and to predict the elastic modulus of the hybrid system. Since hybrid composites used in this study consist of three phases of particles, glass fibers, and matrix, theoretical hybrid modeling is required to consider reinforcing effects of both particles and glass fibers. Interaction between the particles and matrix was considered by using a perturbed stress–strain theory, the Tandon–Weng model. In addition, the laminating analogy approach (LAA) was used to predict the overall elastic modulus of the composite. Theoretical prediction of hybrid moduli indicated that there was a possibility of poor adhesion between glass fibers and matrix. The poor interfacial adhesion was confirmed by morphological experiments. This theoretical and experimental platform is expected to provide more insightful understanding on any kinds of multiphased hybrid composites.     

Influence of fiber surface-treatment on interfacial property of poly(l-lactic acid)/ramie fabric biocomposites under UV-irradiation hydrothermal aging

The present study is devoted to the effect of fiber surface-treatment on the interfacial property of biocomposites based on poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and ramie fabric. Ramie fiber is used as reinforced material because it's lowest water absorption among sisal, jute, kenaf and ramie fiber. Fiber surface-treatment can increase the water absorption of natural fibers. SEM images show that PLLA biocomposites with treated ramie fabric exhibit better interfacial adhesion character. DMA results show that the storage modulus of PLLA biocomposites with treated ramie increase compared to neat PLLA and PLLA biocomposites with untreated ramie. Unexpectedly, fiber surface-treatment can cause an accelerated decline in mechanical properties of PLLA biocomposites after UV-irradiation hydrothermal aging. Finally, GPC results show that there is no obvious decline in the molecular weight of PLLA. The main reason for this decline is the interfacial destructive effect induced by the water absorption of ramie fiber.     

PP composites based on mechanical pulp,deinked newspaper and jute strands: A comparative study

In the present work, polypropylene-based composites reinforced with three types of randomly distributed short lignocellulosic fibers, namely mechanical pulp (MP), deinked pulp (DIP), and jute strands, were prepared and analyzed. Addition of 6% (wt/wt) of MAPP resulted in a significant enhancement in the tensile strength in line with the improvement of the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion making more effective the transfer of stress from the matrix to the rigid reinforcement. The mechanical properties of these composites were analyzed in terms of Bowyer–Bader and Hirsch models to fit the obtained experimental data. From the stress/strain curves and the fiber length distributions, it was possible to access to the orientation factor, the interfacial shear strength, the intrinsic tensile strength and the modulus of the fibers.     

PP composites based on mechanical pulp,deinked newspaper and jute strands: A comparative study

In the present work, polypropylene-based composites reinforced with three types of randomly distributed short lignocellulosic fibers, namely mechanical pulp (MP), deinked pulp (DIP), and jute strands, were prepared and analyzed. Addition of 6% (wt/wt) of MAPP resulted in a significant enhancement in the tensile strength in line with the improvement of the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion making more effective the transfer of stress from the matrix to the rigid reinforcement. The mechanical properties of these composites were analyzed in terms of Bowyer–Bader and Hirsch models to fit the obtained experimental data. From the stress/strain curves and the fiber length distributions, it was possible to access to the orientation factor, the interfacial shear strength, the intrinsic tensile strength and the modulus of the fibers.     

Evaluation of time-dependent change in fiber stress profiles during long-term pull-out tests at constant loads using Raman spectroscopy

Constant-load pull-out tests were carried out on single-fiber model composite specimens for 500 to 1,000 hours in order to investigate the time-dependent change in fiber axial stress profiles resulting from matrix creep in unidirectional continuous fiber-reinforced composites. Three resins used as the matrix materials, in which single carbon fibers were embedded, were normal epoxy, a blend with a more flexible epoxy, and UV-curable acrylic. The time-dependent change in fiber stress profiles in the constant-load pull-out tests was measured using Raman spectroscopy, and creep and relaxation tests for the matrix resins themselves were performed. It was observed that the normal epoxy matrix composite exhibited only a negligible change in the fiber stress profile with time whereas the flexible epoxy and UV-curable acrylic matrices allowed, respectively, considerable and significant changes. These observations were shown to be consistent with the creep and stress relaxation test results of the matrix resins. It was also found that the time-dependent change in fiber stress was much slower in the experiment than in the prediction based on perfect bonding at the fiber/matrix interface. The interfacial slip that occurred in the composites tested could be responsible for the gradual variation in fiber stress profiles.     

Effect of oxygen plasma treatment of PPTA and PBO fibers on the interfacial properties of single fiber/epoxy composites studied by Raman spectroscopy

The interfacial micromechanics of single poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide (PPTA) and poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibers embedded in an epoxy resin has been investigated by determining the interfacial shear stress distributions along the fiber length. The effects of an oxygen plasma treatment on the interfacial shear stress of the fiber-epoxy systems are analyzed. Raman spectroscopy was used to map the stress distributions along the fiber when the composite is subjected to a small axial tensile strain (3.5% for PPTA and 2.5% for PBO). The quality of the interface or adhesion was improved after the surface treatment, supporting the ability of plasma oxidation to enhance the adhesion of high-performance fibers to epoxy resins. The tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced systems was different in each case. PPTA reinforcements underwent fragmentation, likely by fiber microfailure, whereas debonding or bridging is the most probable fragmentation mechanism in the case of PBO.     

Fiber–matrix adhesion from the single-fiber composite test: nucleation of interfacial debonding

The level of fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion in composites is traditionally evaluated by means of a stress-based parameter. Recently, it was suggested that an interfacial energy parameter might constitute a valid alternative. From an overview of the literature regarding the single-fiber composite fragmentation test, it appears that energy-based approaches have already been proposed in the past, but were either not successful, or not fully developed. Our recent energy balance scheme, proposed for the analysis of the initial interface debonding which occurs at fiber breaks during a fragmentation test, is presented and expanded here. The effects of thermal residual stress in the fiber, and of friction in the debonded area, are now incorporated in the energy balance model. We use a different shear-lag parameter proposed by Nayfeh, rather than the commonly used Cox parameter. New, extensive single-fiber fragmentation data regarding the interface crack initiation regime is presented, using sized and unsized E-glass fibers embedded in UV-curable or epoxy polymers. Some data for unsized carbon in epoxy is also presented. Fiber fragmentation is forced to take place entirely in the linear elastic region of the stress–strain curve, by means of pre-stressed single fibers. The importance of this procedure is discussed. Future work will focus on the interface crack propagation regime.     

Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial bonding in abaca fiber-reinforced composites

Abaca fibers demonstrate enormous potential as reinforcing agents in composite materials. In this study, abaca fibers were immersed in 5, 10 or 15 wt.% NaOH solutions for 2 h, and the effects of the alkali treatments on the mechanical characteristics and interfacial adhesion of the fibers in a model abaca fiber/epoxy composite system systematically evaluated. After 5 wt.% NaOH treatment, abaca fibers showed increased crystallinity, tensile strength and Young’s modulus compared to untreated fibers, and also improved interfacial shear strength with an epoxy. Stronger alkali treatments negatively impacted fiber stiffness and suitability for composite applications. Results suggest that mild alkali treatments (e.g. 5 wt.% NaOH for 2 h) are highly beneficial for the manufacture of abaca fiber-reinforced polymer composites.     

Effect of fiber loading on the properties of treated cellulose fiber-reinforced phenolic composites

The effect of fiber loading on the properties of treated cellulose fiber-reinforced phenolic composites was evaluated. Alkali treatment of the fibers and reaction with organosilanes as coupling agents were applied to improve fiber–matrix adhesion. Fiber loadings of 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt% were incorporated to the phenolic matrix and tensile, flexural, morphological and thermal properties of the resulting composites were studied. In general, mechanical properties of the composites showed a maximum at 3% of fiber loading and a uniform distribution of the fibers in such composites was observed. Silane treatment of the fibers provided derived composites with the best thermal and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, NaOH treatment improved thermal and flexural properties, but reduced tensile properties of the materials. Therefore, the phenolic composite containing 3% of silane treated cellulose fiber was selected as the material with optimal properties.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of aramid/nylon plain knitted composites

The presence of fibre/matrix interfaces strongly influences the overall mechanical properties of composites. In order to produce fully recyclable fiber reinforced composites with improved adhesion properties, polyethylene and polypropylene materials were previously used as single-polymer composite materials. In this paper, another breed of single-polymer composite material has been defined as the ‘one-unity’ composite. Polyamide materials were chosen and combined with aramid fibre in an attempt to achieve better interfacial bonding. Weft-knitting technique was used to produce textile reinforcements for aramid/nylon composite processing. Aramid/epoxy knitted composites were also fabricated to compare them with aramid/nylon thermoplastic composites. Mechanical properties of aramid/nylon and aramid/epoxy composites and their relationships to the fibre/matrix interfacial adhesion and interactions have been investigated. With the increase in processing time, tensile modulus and strength of aramid/nylon composites have increased and decreased, respectively. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopic observations clearly indicated that longer molding time has resulted in stronger adhesion property between fiber and matrix. Aramid/nylon knitted composites have revealed comparable strength property in the course direction, albeit they have inferior tensile strength in the wale direction when compared to that in aramid/epoxy composites. In aramid/nylon knitted composites, while tensile modulus exhibited an increasing trend, there were clear drops in tensile strengths with longer molding time. This indicates that there could be an optimum molding condition at which maximum tensile properties can be obtained. Aramid/nylon knitted composites exhibited relatively better interfacial bonding properties than Aramid/epoxy composites, which suffered fibre/matrix debonding.