Effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on the properties of moso bamboo particles reinforced polyvinyl chloride composites

Bamboo plastic composites were fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and moso bamboo particles (BP). In order to improve the interfacial interaction between BP and PVC, as well as to obtain composites with outstanding mechanical properties, the roles of hydrothermal treating temperatures (120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260 and 280 °C) on characteristics of BP and properties of the PVC/BP composites were investigated. Results showed that hydrothermal modification improved the surface property of BP and wiped off hemicelluloses and pectin. A uniform dispersion of BP in PVC matrix was observed by SEM with hydrothermal treatment. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and flexural strength of the composites achieved their maximal values of 15.79 MPa, 6702.26 MPa and 39.57 MPa, respectively, with 180 °C hydrothermal treatment. The highest values of elongation at break and flexural deformation were 3.75 ± 0.20% with 200 °C hydrothermal modification and 36.22 ± 2.70% with 140 °C hydrothermal modification, respectively. Due to more decomposition of hemicellulose, the composites expressed lower water absorption and higher thermal stability when the hydrothermal treating temperature exceed 160 °C.     

Effect of fiber surface modification on water absorption and hydrothermal aging behaviors of GF/pCBT composites

Water absorption and aging behaviors of fiber reinforced polymerized poly (cyclic butylene terephthalate) (GF/pCBT) composites are investigated. We coated nano-silica on glass fiber surface by physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. Subsequently, we immersed pCBT composites reinforced with nano-treated/untreated fibers in 25 °C and 60 °C distilled water until their saturated moisture. We also exposed some specimens in various hydrothermal aging environments. We tested the mechanical performance of these test specimens and found that the mechanical performance of both pCBT cast and GF/pCBT composites reduces obviously after water absorption and hydrothermal aging. However, nano-silica modified fiber reinforced composites have higher remaining strength than GF/pCBT. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the microscopic phase and nanoparticle modified mechanism, and better interface characteristic between fibers and matrix is observed.     

Abrasive wear of Al2O3-reinforced aluminium-based MMCs

The effects of volume fraction, Al₂O₃ particle size and effects of porosity in the composites on the abrasive wear resistance of compo-casting Al alloy MMCs have been studied for different abrasive conditions. It was seen that porosity in the composites is proportional to particle content. In addition, process variables like the stirring speed, and the position and diameter of the stirrer affect of the porosity content in a way similar to that observed for particle content. In addition, the abrasive wear rates of composites decreased more rapidly with increase in Al₂O₃ volume fraction in tests performed over 80 grade SiC abrasive paper than in tests conducted over 220 grade SiC abrasive paper. Furthermore, the wear rates decreased with increase in Al₂O₃ size for the composites containing the same amount of Al₂O₃. Hence, it is deduced that aluminium alloy composites reinforced with larger Al₂O₃ particles are more effective against abrasive wear than those reinforced with smaller Al₂O₃ particles. At the same time the results show that the beneficial effects of hard Al₂O₃ particles on wear resistance far surpassed that of the sintered porosity in the compocasting metal-matrix composites (MMCs). Nevertheless, the fabrication of composites containing soft particles such as graphite favors a reduction in the friction coefficient. For this reason graphite and copper were used in the matrix in different amounts to detect their effect on wear resistance. Finally, it was seen that wear rate of the composites decreased considerably with graphite additions.     

竹纤维增强聚氯乙烯发泡复合材料的制备与性能

以竹纤维和聚氯乙烯为原料,加入冲击改性剂、偶联剂、发泡剂等生产助剂,通过熔融混炼挤出,最后注塑成型为复合材料试样.研究了竹粉含量、冲击改性剂含量、偶联剂和发泡剂种类对该复合材料力学性能的影响,并利用扫描电镜分析了发泡复合材料的微观结构.结果表明：竹粉在一定添加量范围内对聚氯乙烯塑料基体的力学性能具有一定的增强效果,当竹粉添加质量分数超过20％后,复合材料的力学性能开始降低;抗冲击改性剂CPE的加入,可以在聚氯乙烯/竹粉复合材料体系中形成橡胶态过渡结构,组成不均匀相,进而提高复合材料的韧性;选用的几种偶联剂中,硅烷偶联剂对复合材料力学性能的作用效果最好,马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯次之,随后是改性EVA、铝酸酯偶联剂和钛酸酯偶联剂;组合发泡剂对聚氯乙烯/竹粉复合材料的发泡效果优于单一发泡剂,当AC＋尿素的添加质量分数为1.0％,且两者的质量比为1∶1时,其作用效果最优,泡孔数量多且均匀.     

表面处理对PVC/稻壳复合材料吸湿性能影响研究

研究了硅烷偶联剂与酚醛树脂改性稻壳粉及填充PVC后对复合材料吸湿性能、力学性能影响.结果表明:用硅烷偶联剂与酚醛树脂复合改性的PVC/稻壳粉体系吸湿量、吸湿后的膨胀率低于单一的硅处理及未处理的复合材料,同时复合改性的PVC/稻壳粉体系力学性能明显优于其它复合材料.     

壳聚糖改性竹粉/PVC复合材料的制备和性能

壳聚糖、竹粉和PVC等按一定比例混合,用挤出成型法制备了竹粉/PVC复合材料。考察了壳聚糖添加量对复合材料物理力学性能、热稳定性、防水性能和防腐性能的影响。结果表明,适量壳聚糖的添加,可以改善复合材料的综合性能。且当壳聚糖含量为3wt%时复合材料的性能最佳,与未添加壳聚糖的复合材料相比,其拉伸强度、冲击强度和弯曲强度分别提高了44.7%、58.2%和79.6%,腐蚀前8天的吸水率从2.2%降低为1.6%,被白腐菌和褐腐菌腐蚀后材料的质量损失率分别降低了94.1%和75.0%。     

Water absorption study on pultruded jute fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites

Water absorption of natural fibre plastic composites is a serious concern especially for their potential outdoor applications. In this research, jute fibre reinforced with unsaturated polyester composites are subjected to water immersion tests in order to study the effects of water absorption in its mechanical properties. Water absorption tests were conducted by immersing composite specimens into three different environmental conditions included distilled water, sea water and acidic solutions at room temperature for a period up to 3 weeks. Water absorption curves obtained and characteristic parameter D (diffusion coefficient) and M_m (maximum moisture content) were determined. The water absorption of jute fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were found to follow a so-called pseudo-Fickian behaviour. The effects of the immersion treatment on the flexural and compression characteristics were investigated. The flexural and compression properties were found to decrease with the increase in percentage water uptake. These flexural and compression behaviours were explained by the plasticization of the matrix–fibre interface and swelling of the jute fibres.     

The use of a mixed coupling agent system to improve the performance of polypropylene-based composites reinforced with short-glass-fibre mat

In order to improve the mechanical properties of composites consisting of polypropylene reinforced with mats of short glass fibres, the fibre surface was treated with a silane coupling agent, N-β(N-vinylbenzylaminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane hydrogen chloride (STS), and a titanate coupling agent, isopropyltriisostearoyl titanate (TTS). The flexural properties and the impact absorption energy of these composites were measured as a function of coupling agent concentration. STS-only treatment of the fibre surface enhanced the flexural strength and the flexural modulus of the composite, while TTS-only treatment decreased the flexural strength and the flexural modulus. The improved flexural properties of the composite brought about by the STS-only treatment were obtained at the cost of its impact absorption energy, whereas TTS-only treatment showed the inverse characteristics. However, in a mixed coupling agent system, the impact absorption energy of the composite was improved without a reduction in the flexural properties. A morphological study of the fracture surfaces of the composite after impact testing, void content measurement and single-fibre fragmentation test were also carried out to understand the interfacial phenomena of the surface treated composites.     

Effect of mechanical activation pretreatment on the properties of sugarcane bagasse/poly(vinyl chloride) composites

This current work is concerned with the pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by mechanical activation (MA) using a self-designed stirring ball mill and surface modification of SCB using aluminate coupling agent (ACA). The untreated and differently treated SCBs were used to produce composites with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as polymer matrix. The activation grade (A_g) measurement and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of SCB showed that MA enhanced the condensation reaction between ACA and hydroxyl groups of the SCB fibres, which obviously increased the hydrophobicity of SCB. It was found that the mechanical properties of both the PVC composites reinforced by SCB with and without ACA modification increased with increasing milling time (t_M). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that MA pretreatment significantly improved the dispersion of SCB in the composites and interfacial adhesion between SCB and PVC matrix, resulting in better mechanical properties of the composites.     

Utilization of olive mill sludge in manufacture of lignocellulosic/polypropylene composite

This study evaluated some physical and mechanical properties of injection-moulded polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with various mixtures of the wood flour (WF) and the olive mill sludge (OMS). Water resistance of the composites improved by the increasing OMS flour content. However, the flexural properties of the composites decreased with increasing OMS flour content. The addition of a coupling agent improved the compatibility between the lignocellulosic material and PP through esterification and thus reduced the water absorption and improved the stability and mechanical properties. The findings obtained in the study showed that the OMS was capable of serving as new reinforcing filler in the manufacturing of thermoplastic polymer composites.     

Hybrid effect of nanoparticles with carbon fibers on the mechanical and wear properties of polymer composites

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites reinforced with carbon fibers (CFs) and nano-ZrO₂ particles were prepared by incorporating nanoparticles into PEEK/CF composites via twin-screw extrusion. The effects of nanoparticles on the mechanical and wear properties of the PEEK/CF composites were studied. The results showed that the incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ particles with carbon fiber could effectively enhance the tensile properties of the composites. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites increased with the increasing nano-ZrO₂ content. The enhancement effect of the particle was more significant in the hybrid reinforced composites. The compounding of the two fillers also remarkably improved the wear resistance of the composites under water condition especially under high pressures. It was revealed that the excellent wear resistance of the PEEK/CF/ZrO₂ composites was due to a synergy effect between the nano-ZrO₂ particles and CF. CF carried the majority of load during sliding process and prevented severe wear to the matrix. The incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ effectively inhibited the CF failures through reducing the stress concentration on the carbon fibers interface and the shear stress between two sliding surfaces. It was also indicated that the wear rates of the hybrid composites decreased with the increasing applied load and sliding distance under water lubrication. And low friction coefficient and low wear rate could be achieved at high sliding velocity.     

Fabrication and characterization of three dimensional woven carbon fiber/silica ceramic matrix composites

Carbon fiber reinforced fused silica composites exhibit the advantages of excellent mechanical properties, high heat resistance, low thermal expansion and low density, but low impact resistance or toughness. A novel modified slurry impregnation and hot pressing (SIHP) method was adopted to fabricate a new type of three dimensional orthogonal woven structure carbon fiber reinforced silica ceramic matrix composites (3D Cf/SiO₂ CMCs) with higher density and lower porosity. Physical characterization, flexural behavior, impact performance and toughening mechanism of the composites were investigated by three-point bending tests, impact tests, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The 3D Cf/SiO₂ CMC showed a higher flexural strength in both warp (201.6%) and weft (263.6%) directions than those of pure SiO₂ and failed at a non-brittle mode due to the fiber debonding and pullout, and a delaminated failure of the 3D preform. The maximum impact energy absorption of the 3D Cf/SiO₂ CMC was 96.9 kJ/m², almost 4 times as much as those for typical other carbon fiber reinforced CMCs.     

Mechanical and thermal behavior of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced layered clay/epoxy nanocomposites

Mechanical and thermal properties of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced clay/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. Clay/epoxy nanocomposite systems were prepared to use as the matrix material for composite laminates. X-ray diffraction results obtained from natural and modified clays indicated that intergallery spacing of the layered clay increases with surface treatment. Tensile tests indicated that clay loading has minor effect on the tensile properties. Flexural properties of laminates were improved by clay addition due to the improved interface between glass fibers and epoxy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified clay particles affected the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the nanocomposites. Incorporation of surface treated clay particles increased the dynamic mechanical properties of nanocomposite laminates. It was found that the flame resistance of composites was improved significantly by clay addition into the epoxy matrix.     

植物纤维增强PS木塑复合材料的性能研究

以木纤维、竹纤维和聚苯乙烯为主要原料,加入偶联剂、润滑剂、增塑剂等加工助剂,经挤出注塑制备聚苯乙烯/木纤维复合材料。研究了植物纤维种类和添加质量分数、偶联剂KH-550添加质量分数对PS木塑复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明：木纤维和偶联剂的加入都使复合材料的力学性能呈先增大后减小的趋势。当木纤维添加质量分数为25%,偶联剂KH-550添加质量为木纤维添加质量的1.5%时,复合材料具有最大的拉伸强度、弯曲强度和断裂伸长率,分别为30.2MPa,86MPa和8.74%,缺口冲击强度随木纤维添加质量分数的增加而减小。木纤维和竹纤维填充的两种复合材料的拉伸强度、弯曲强度和冲击强度相差不大。     

Thermally conducting aluminum nitride polymer-matrix composites

Thermally conducting, but electrically insulating, polymer-matrix composites that exhibit low values of the dielectric constant and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) are needed for electronic packaging. For developing such composites, this work used aluminum nitride whiskers (and/or particles) and/or silicon carbide whiskers as fillers(s) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or epoxy as matrix. The highest thermal conductivity of 11.5 W/(m K) was attained by using PVDF, AlN whiskers and AlN particles (7 μm), such that the total filler volume fraction was 60% and the AlN whisker–particle ratio was 1:25.7. When AlN particles were used as the sole filler, the thermal conductivity was highest for the largest AlN particle size (115 μm), but the porosity increased with increasing AlN particle size. The thermal conductivity of AlN particle epoxy-matrix composite was increased by up to 97% by silane surface treatment of the particles prior to composite fabrication. The increase in thermal conductivity is due to decrease in the filler–matrix thermal contact resistance through the improvement of the interface between matrix and particles. At 60 vol.% silane-treated AlN particles only, the thermal conductivity of epoxy-matrix composite reached 11.0 W/(m K). The dielectric constant was quite high (up to 10 at 2 MHz) for the PVDF composites. The change of the filler from AlN to SiC greatly increased the dielectric constant. Combined use of whiskers and particles in an appropriate ratio gave composites with higher thermal conductivity and low CTE than the use of whiskers alone or particles alone. However, AlN addition caused the tensile strength, modulus and ductility to decrease from the values of the neat polymer, and caused degradation after water immersion.     

碱处理对竹纤维及竹纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料性能的影响

为探究竹纤维表面能对纤维与树脂的粘附功及复合材料界面的影响,采用碱处理对竹纤维进行表面改性,通过模压工艺制备了竹纤维增强聚丙烯(PP)复合材料。研究了碱处理对竹纤维性能、竹纤维与PP间的粘附功及对竹纤维/PP复合材料力学性能的影响,采用SEM研究了不同浓度碱处理后竹纤维表面形貌的变化。结果表明:随着碱浓度的增加,竹纤维断裂强度呈现一定波动,当碱浓度为1wt%时竹纤维断裂强度达到最大值;竹纤维与PP的粘附功与竹纤维极性比密切相关,竹纤维极性比越小,粘附功越大;随着碱浓度增大,竹纤维与PP间粘附功与竹纤维/PP复合材料剪切性能呈现相同的趋势,并且都在碱浓度为20wt%时达到最大值,此时竹纤维与PP的粘附功较未处理时提高了67.18%;竹纤维/PP复合材料剪切性能较未处理时提高了23.29%;复合材料弯曲强度在碱浓度为5wt%时达到最大值,相比未处理时提高了23.13%。     

Polypropylene composites with enzyme modified abaca fibre

Abaca fibre reinforced PP composites were prepared using a high speed mixer followed by injection moulding with 30 wt.% of fibre load. Prior to composite production, the fibres were modified by fungamix and natural enzyme. The effects of modification of the fibre were assessed on the basis of morphology and thermal resistance and as well as on mechanical, thermal and environmental stress corrosion resistance properties of the resulting composites. Coupling agent (MA-PP) was also used with unmodified abaca fibre to observe the coupling agent effect on resulting composites properties. The moisture absorption of the composites was found to be reduced 20–45% due to modification. Tensile strength found to be 5–45% and flexural strengths found to be 10–35% increased due to modification. Modified fibre composites found to better resistance in acid and base medium.     

木粉表面改性对聚氯乙烯/木粉复合材料性能的影响

选用不同偶联剂对木粉(WF)进行表面改性。对聚氯乙烯/木粉(PVC/WF)复合材料力学性能测试结果表明,异氰酸酯偶联剂更适合对WF的表面改性。WF经异氰酸酯偶联剂处理后疏水性得到明显改善。随WF填充量增加,PVC/WF复合材料冲击强度和线性热膨胀系数下降,吸水率和维卡软化温度上升,并且异氰酸酯偶联剂处理WF填充的PVC/WF复合材料(PVC/WF-1)各种性能都较未处理WF填充的PVC/WF复合材料(PVC/WF-2)好。填充30份时,PVC/WF-1复合材料的拉伸强度比纯PVC提高约10%,吸水率小于0.6%,维卡软化温度比PVC提高2.9℃,线性热膨胀系数从PVC的8.55×10-5℃-1降低到6.01×10-5℃-1。扫描电镜观察结果证明异氰酸酯偶联剂处理WF有利于提高WF与PVC基体的界面相互作用。     

单向竹原纤维表面改性对其增强不饱和聚酯树脂复合材料性能的影响

采用碱处理、碱-偶联剂联合处理对竹原纤维进行表面改性,通过缝合-模压工艺制备了单向连续竹原纤维/不饱和聚酯树脂(BF/UP)复合材料。研究了不同表面改性方法对BF/UP复合材料静态、动态力学性能、吸水性能等的影响,并用SEM、红外光谱等技术研究了改性处理后纤维的表面及复合材料界面结合情况。结果表明:经过不同表面处理后BF/UP复合材料的性能均有所改善。当采用5wt%碱-3wt%偶联剂联合处理时,BF/UP复合材料综合性能最优,其拉伸强度、弯曲强度、弯曲模量、剪切强度较未处理的分别提高了34.29%、15.95%、11.26%、29.39%;复合材料存储模量(33℃)较未处理的提高了63.80%,损耗因子有所降低;BF/UP复合材料24h、720h吸水率较未处理的分别减小了55.35%、27.32%。SEM和红外光谱结果表明,改性处理后竹原纤维表面杂质减少,附着了一层偶联剂膜,BF/UP复合材料中纤维与树脂之间的界面结合更好。     

麦秸/聚氯乙烯复合材料新疆户外老化性能

为探讨新疆强紫外线与干热环境对木塑复合材料抗老化性能的影响,添加不同种类抗老剂(UV-531、1010和168),采用挤出成型制备麦秸/聚氯乙烯(PVC)复合材料,进行90天新疆户外老化。测试和分析麦秸/PVC复合材料老化前后表面官能团和颜色变化、表面形貌和力学性能,计算羰基指数、木质素指数和表面粗糙度。结果表明:老化后表面麦秸纤维与PVC发生分解,出现褪色现象,粗糙度升高,力学性能下降。抗老剂均能提高麦秸/PVC复合材料的抗老化性能。其中,添加抗老剂UV-531的麦秸/PVC复合材料效果最优,与对照组相比,其羰基指数提高了19.27%,木质素指数降低了4.44%,色差ΔE降低了11.12%,表面粗糙度S_a降低了33.38%,弯曲强度和拉伸强度分别提高了5.87%和6.44%,表面更平整,麦秸裸露少。该研究结果可为提高木塑复合材料抗老化效力提供试验数据和理论参考,有利于延长木塑复合材料在新疆干热环境下的使用寿命。