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.     

New biocomposites based on thermoplastic starch and bacterial cellulose

Bacterial cellulose, produced by Acetobacter Xylinum, was used as reinforcement in composite materials with a starch thermoplastic matrix. The composites were prepared in a single step with cornstarch by adding glycerol/water as the plasticizer and bacterial cellulose (1% and 5% w/w) as the reinforcing agent. Vegetable cellulose was also tested as reinforcement for comparison purposes. These materials were characterized by different techniques, namely TGA, XRD, DMA, tensile tests, SEM and water sorption assays. All composites showed good dispersion of the fibers and a strong adhesion between the fibers and the matrix. The composites prepared with bacterial cellulose displayed better mechanical properties than those with vegetable cellulose fibers. The Young modulus increased by 30 and 17 fold (with 5% fibers), while the elongation at break was reduced from 144% to 24% and 48% with increasing fiber content, respectively for composites with bacterial and vegetable cellulose.     

A study of the mechanical properties of short natural-fiber reinforced composites

The degree of fiber–matrix adhesion and its effect on the mechanical reinforcement of short henequen fibers and a polyethylene matrix was studied. The surface treatments were: an alkali treatment, a silane coupling agent and the pre-impregnation process of the HDPE/xylene solution. The presence of Si–O–cellulose and Si–O–Si bonds on the lignocellulosic surface confirmed that the silane coupling agent was efficiently held on the fibres surface through both condensation with cellulose hydroxyl groups and self-condensation between silanol groups.

The fiber–matrix interface shear strength (IFSS) was used as an indicator of the fiber–matrix adhesion improvement, and also to determine a suitable value of fiber length in order to process the composite with relative ease. It was noticed that the IFSS observed for the different fiber surface treatments increased and such interface strength almost doubled only by changing the mechanical interaction and the chemical interactions between fiber and matrix.

HDPE-henequen fiber composite materials were prepared with a 20% v/v fiber content and the tensile, flexural and shear properties were studied. The comparison of tensile properties of the composites showed that the silane treatment and the matrix-resin pre-impregnation process of the fiber produced a significant increase in tensile strength, while the tensile modulus remained relatively unaffected. The increase in tensile strength was only possible when the henequen fibers were treated first with an alkaline solution. It was also shown that the silane treatment produced a significant increase in flexural strength while the flexural modulus also remained relatively unaffected. The shear properties of the composites also increased significantly, but, only when the henequen fibers were treated with the silane coupling agent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the composites failure surfaces also indicated that there is an improved adhesion between fiber and matrix. Examination of the failure surfaces also indicated differences in the interfacial failure mode. With increasing fiber–matrix adhesion the failure mode changed from interfacial failure and considerable fiber pull-out from the matrix for the untreated fiber to matrix yielding and fiber and matrix tearing for the alkaline, matrix-resin pre-impregnation and silane treated fibers.     

Preparation and characterization of water-borne epoxy shape memory composites containing silica

Shape memory silica/epoxy composites were successfully prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) within the epoxy matrix via latex, freeze-drying, and hot-press molding method. The silane coupling agent 3-triethoxysilylpropylamine (KH550) was introduced to improve the interfacial properties between the in-situ generated silica particle and epoxy matrix. The morphology structure and the effect of the content of the in-situ formed silica on the mechanical and shape memory properties of the silica/epoxy composites were studied. The experimental results indicated that the silica particles were homogenously dispersed and well incorporated into the epoxy matrix. Significant improvements were achieved in the mechanical property of the organic–inorganic hybrid materials. The silica/epoxy composites exhibited high shape recovery and fixity ratio approximately 100% even after 10 thermo-mechanical cycles.     

酸刻蚀对玄武岩纤维表面偶联剂吸附量及纤维/环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响

纤维与树脂的复合需要有一个良好的界面相,以便能将载荷从基体有效地传递给增强纤维,纤维表面改性处理是达到这一要求的主要方法。采用盐酸刻蚀法对玄武岩纤维（BF）表面进行处理,讨论了酸刻蚀对纤维单丝拉伸性能、表面硅烷偶联剂吸附量的影响以及盐酸浓度对BF/环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明：纤维的单丝拉伸强度随着盐酸浓度的升高呈加速下降趋势;1 mol/L盐酸处理后的纤维表面对硅烷偶联剂KH550的吸附量最大;1 mol/L盐酸刻蚀后再经硅烷偶联剂KH550处理的纤维制成的BF-KH550/环氧树脂复合材料的弯曲性能、拉伸性能和层间剪切强度最优。     

A facile method for preparing CNT-grafted carbon fibers and improved tensile strength of their composites

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-grafted carbon fibers (CFs) have emerged as new reinforcements for improving the mechanical properties of CF-reinforced composites but such enhancement in macroscale composites has not been realized. This paper reports a facile method for preparing CNT-grafted CFs and improving the tensile strength of their composites. A CNT/polyacrylonitrile solution was sprayed onto the surface of the CF woven fabrics, and the CNTs were grafted by a thermal treatment at 300 °C. CNT-grafted CF composites were fabricated using the CNT-grafted CF woven fabrics using a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process with epoxy resin. The CNT-grafted CF composite exhibited 22% enhancement in the tensile strength compared to that of the pristine CF composite. Fracture surfaces of the CNT-grafted CF composites showed that the grafted CNTs obstructed the propagation of micro-cracks and micro-delamination around the CFs and also yarn boundaries, resulting in improved tensile strength of CNT-grafted CF composites.     

超细粉碎表面改性透辉石增强橡胶材料

采用硬脂酸、铝酸酯和硅烷偶联剂3种改性剂分别对超细透辉石粉体进行表面改性,通过接触角和活化指数评价表面改性效果,同时以硬度、扯断强度、扯断伸长率、定伸强度、扯断永久变形和抗老化性能为量化指标分析了改性透辉石粉体取代炭黑作为橡胶填料的力学性能。结果表明,硅烷偶联剂对超细透辉石粉体的改性效果好,并且对橡胶有较好的补强效果,这是因为活化改性增强了透辉石填料与聚合物基体的结合强度,因此能全部或部分代替炭黑等常规橡胶填料,从而降低橡胶生产成本。     

Mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of aluminum nitride/polyetherimide composites

The mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of modified AlN/polyetherimide (PEI) composites were investigated. It revealed that the surface of AlN modified by silane could effectively increase the adhesion with matrix, which was beneficial for AlN to reinforce the polyetherimide matrix. After silane modification, the AlN showed good dispersion and wetibility in the polyetherimide matrix and imparted excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. The tensile strength, modulus, electrical and thermal stability were improved with the increasing of AlN content. The tensile strength of AlN/PEI composites increased by 27% when 12.6 vol.% AlN was added to neat polyetherimide. The thermal conductivity of the 57.4 vol.% AlN/PEI composites increased three times compared with neat polyetherimide. Test results indicate that the silane grafted AlN incorporated into the polyetehetimide matrix effectively enhance the thermal stability, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the polyetherimide composites.     

磨碎玻璃纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料的制备及力学性能研究

用硅烷偶联剂对磨碎玻璃纤维表面进行改性,并制备玻璃纤维/环氧树脂复合材料,采用超声分散对复合材料分散处理,探讨不同磨碎玻璃纤维粉质量比对环氧树脂基复合材料压缩、拉伸性能的影响。研究表明,添加磨碎玻璃纤维后,环氧树脂的强度和硬度显著增强。当磨碎玻璃纤维掺量在15%~25%之间时,复合材料的综合力学性能最好,其压缩强度、压缩模量、拉伸强度最高达到67.1 MPa、1.68 GPa、57.6 MPa,与纯环氧树脂相比提高了24%、35%、34%;断裂伸长率随着掺量的增加逐渐降低,当含量达到30%时比纯环氧树脂的降低了48%,表明添加玻璃纤维粉后环氧树脂脆性增强。目数小粒径较大的玻璃纤维粉对环氧树脂力学性能增强效果更优,但影响程度不如含量对复合材料力学性能的影响大。     

Effect of coupling treatment on mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose nanofibre-reinforced UPR ecocomposites

Bacterial cellulose nanofiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites (BC/UPR) were prepared using vinyl-triethoxy silane coupling modified BC fibres by the method of resin transfer molding (RTM) and subjected to mechanical tests in order to study the effect of surface treatment on the properties of composites. The results show that coupling treatment did not change the morphology of BC nanofibers, while it changed the chemical states of the BC fiber's surface. The XPS result indicates that chemical bonding was formed at the interface between UPR matrix and BC fibers after surface treatment, which enhanced the mechanical properties of composites. After treatment, tensile strength, flexure strength, shear strength and tensile modulus of the composites with a fiber volume fraction (V_f) of 10% were increased by 117.7%, 38.4%, 38.7% and 27.6%, respectively.     

The effect of alkaline treatment on mechanical properties of kenaf fibers and their epoxy composites

In this work, kenaf fibers were pre-treated in a NaOH solution (6% in weight) at room temperature for two different periods (48 and 144 h). The chemical treatment of kenaf fibers for 48 h allowed to clean their surface removing each impurity whereas 144 h of immersion time had detrimental effect on the fibers surface and, consequently, on their mechanical properties.Untreated and NaOH treated kenaf fibers (i.e. for 48 h) were also used as reinforcing agent of epoxy resin composites. The effect of the stacking sequence (i.e. using unidirectional long fibers or randomly oriented short fibers) and the chemical treatment on the static mechanical properties was evaluated showing that the composites exhibit higher moduli in comparison to the neat resin. As regards the strength properties, only the composites reinforced with unidirectional layers show higher strength than the neat resin. Moreover, the alkali treatment increased the mechanical properties of the composites, due to the improvement of fiber–matrix compatibility.The dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the storage and the loss moduli are mainly influenced by the alkali treatment above the glass transition temperature. Moreover, the alkali treatment led to a notable reduction of tan δ peaks in addition to significant shifts of tan δ peaks to higher temperatures whereas the stacking sequence did not influence the trends of storage modulus, loss modulus and damping of the composites.     

Novel bacterial cellulose–acrylic resin nanocomposites

The preparation and characterization of new nanocomposite films based on two acrylic emulsions, composed of random copolymers of butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate, and bacterial cellulose is reported. The new composite materials were obtained through a simple and green approach by casting water-based suspensions of the acrylic emulsions and bacterial cellulose nanofibrils. The excellent compatibility between these matrices and the natural reinforcing fibers, observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was reflected in the enhanced thermal and mechanical properties of the ensuing composites. Thus, an increase of around 30 °C in the maximum degradation temperature was observed for a 10% content of bacterial cellulose. The new composites showed glass–rubber transition temperature profiles comparable to those of the pristine matrices, as shown by DMA, and increasing elastic moduli with increasing the bacterial cellulose content. The tensile tests revealed a substantial increase in Young’s modulus and tensile strength and a corresponding decrease in elongation at break with increasing bacterial cellulose load.     

Development of slate fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites for injection molding

During the last decade the use of fiber reinforced composite materials has consolidated as an attracting alternative to traditional materials due to an excellent balance between mechanical properties and lightweight. One drawback related to the use of inorganic fibers such as those derived from siliceous materials is the relative low compatibility with conventional organic polymer matrices. Surface treatments with coupling agents and the use of copolymers allow increasing fiber–matrix interactions which has a positive effect on overall properties of composites. In this research work we report the use of slate fiber treated with different coupling agents as reinforcement for high density polyethylene from sugarcane. A silane (propyltrimethoxy silane; PTMS) and a graft copolymer (polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride; PE-g-MA) were used to improve fiber–matrix interactions on HDPE-slate fiber. The effect of the different compatibilizing systems and slate fiber content were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DTMA) as well as mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact). The results show that the use of silane coupling agents leads to higher fiber–matrix interactions which has a positive effect on overall mechanical properties. Interesting results are obtained for composites containing 30 wt.% slate fiber previously treated with propyltrimethoxy silane (PTMS) with an increase in tensile and flexural strength of about 16% and 18% respectively.     

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.     

Enhancement of mechanical properties of waste-sourced biocomposites through peroxide induced crosslinking

The enhancement of mechanical performance of waste-sourced biocomposites through peroxide induced crosslinking was investigated in order to expand their range of applications. Biocomposites containing 25 to 35 wt% of residual Kraft-pulp cellulose fibers, 1.5 wt% of a selected maleic-anhydride-modified polyethylene coupling agent and a 60/40 (w/w) of recycled agricultural plastic/post-consumer plastic blend were compounded in an extrusion-compounding pilot-plant. Changes in the blend structure due to the presence of the organic peroxide used were studied by spectroscopy and thermal analysis. It was found that the addition of extremely low amounts of peroxide (0.025–0.050 wt%) results in remarkable improvements in stiffness, strength and toughness of biocomposites, without compromising processability. Thus, their tensile strength and energy at break increased up to 89.4% and 138%, respectively, with regard to uncrosslinked biocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed an improvement of the fiber–matrix adhesion due to the treatment with the peroxide.     

Effects of fiber surface treatments on mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with glass fabric

In this study, effects of fiber surface treatments on mechanical behavior and fracture mechanism of glass fiber/epoxy composites were investigated experimentally. To change the composition of the glass and regenerate to the hydroxyl groups, activation pretreatment of heat cleaned woven glass fabric was performed using (v/v) HCl aqueous solution at different concentrations before silane treatment. The treatment of silanization of heat cleaned and acid activated glass fibers with γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane were performed. In this work, short beam shear test has been conducted to determine the performance of the acid treatment and the silane treatment in terms of the interlaminar shear strength. The silane coating on the heat cleaned glass fibers increased the interlaminar shear strength of the composite. However, the silane coating on the acid activated glass fibers did not improve the interlaminar shear strength of the composite. In addition, the strengths of the glass fabric specimens in tension and flexure were investigated. When the glass fibers are first treated with HCl solution and then with silane coupling agent, the tensile strengths of the composites decreased significantly. Scanning electron photomicrographs of fractured surfaces of composites were performed to explain the failure mechanisms in the composite laminates broken in tension.     

The effects of the injection moulding temperature on the mechanical properties and morphology of polypropylene man-made cellulose fibre composites

Composites made of polypropylene and man-made cellulose fibres that are intended for injection moulding applications show potential for use in sustainable and light weight engineering with high energy absorption capacity. Due to the thermal sensitivity of the cellulose fibres, process parameters play an important role during the injection moulding process. A polypropylene and a man-made cellulose fibre were chosen for this investigation. Effective melt temperatures between 200 °C and 269 °C were used to process the compounds into test specimens. Tensile, impact and colorimetric tests, as well as an SEM analysis, and a measurement of the fibre length distribution were carried out in order to characterise the mechanical and optical properties of the composites. It was observed that the fibre length becomes shorter above 256 °C and elongation at break and Charpy strength (notched) of the composites already decrease at lower temperatures than tensile strength. A direct correlation between mechanical properties and discoloration was not observed. Therefore, melt temperatures up to 250 °C are suitable for these composites.     

Sugarcane bagasse cellulose/HDPE composites obtained by extrusion

Natural fibers used in this study were both pre-treated and modified residues from sugarcane bagasse. Polymer of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was employed as matrix in to composites, which were produced by mixing high density polyethylene with cellulose (10%) and Cell/ZrO₂·nH₂O (10%), using an extruder and hydraulic press. Tensile tests showed that the Cell/ZrO₂·nH₂O (10%)/HDPE composites present better tensile strength than cellulose (10%)/HDPE composites. Cellulose agglomerations were responsible for poor adhesion between fiber and matrix in cellulose (10%)/HDPE composites. HDPE/natural fibers composites showed also lower tensile strength in comparison to the polymer. The increase in Young’s modulus is associated to fibers reinforcement. SEM analysis showed that the cellulose fibers insertion in the matrix caused an increase of defects, which were reduced when modified cellulose fibers were used.     

硅烷修饰对环氧树脂/纳米介孔MCM-41复合材料性能的影响

用偶联剂将纳米介孔MCM-41粉体修饰后与环氧树脂溶液共混,制备出环氧树脂/MCM-41纳米复合材料.研究了偶联剂的含量和不同溶剂的修饰对纳米介孔MCM-41粉体分散性和复合材料力学性能的影响.结果表明,加入适量的偶联剂和在极性较小的介质中修饰,可制备出单分散的纳米介孔MCM-41颗粒增强的新型网络复合材料.偶联剂中的有机基团-(CH2)3-NH2不仅进入孔道、修饰了MCM-41的孔壁,而且使介孔分子筛保持了有序的孔道结构.环氧树脂高分子链与偶联修饰后的MCM-41颗粒的内、外表面以强烈的化学键结合,使MCM-41颗粒均匀分散在聚合物基体中,提高了材料的力学性能,其拉伸强度比基体树脂提高了69%,杨氏模量提高了90%.     

Effect of surface treatment on performance of pineapple leaf fiber–polycarbonate composites

This research is to study the properties of pineapple leaf fiber reinforced polycarbonate composites (PC/PALF). Surface of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was pre-treated with sodium hydroxide (PALF/NaOH) and modified with two different functionalities such as γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (PALF/Z-6011) and γ-methacryloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (PALF/Z-6030). The effects of PALF content and chemical treatment were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing. The modified pineapple leaf fibers composite also produces enhanced mechanical properties. Young’s modulus is the highest in the case of the PALF/NaOH composites. The PALF/Z-6011 composites showed the highest tensile strength and impact strength. In thermal property, the results from thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of the composites is lower than that of neat polycarbonate resin and thermal stability decreased with increasing pineapple leaf fiber content.