Dynamic mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fiber polyester composites

In the recent years, lignocellulosic fibers that originate from a renewable source have been found to provide good reinforcement in polymer matrices. Among the natural fibers, pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) exhibits excellent mechanical properties, besides possessing low density, high stiffness, and low cost. The dynamic mechanical properties, storage modulus (E′), and loss tangent of PALF‐reinforced polyester (PER) composites were evaluated at three frequencies 0.1, 1, and 10 Hz and temperatures ranging from 30 to 200°C. Addition of PALF of 30 mm length (aspect ratio 600) was found to increase the storage modulus leading to a maximum value at 40 wt%. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composite of 40 wt% showed a positive shift indicating high polymer/fiber interaction. A new relaxation is observed at 40 wt% showing the presence of a strong interphase at all aspect ratios. SEM photographs of fracture surfaces of composites confirm the results obtained from static and dynamic mechanical analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Interfacial properties and initial step of the water sorption in unidirectional unsaturated polyester/vegetable fiber composites

In this work the interfacial properties of polyester/vegetable fiber composites were analyzed by flexural testing. The compressive/tensile (σ) and shear (τ) stresses were determined for each composite in function of the span-to-depth ratio (λ). The general behavior of the composites was similar to that of composites reinforced with DuPont Kevlar fiber, i.e., a maximum σ stress value is obtained. Flexural test validity for determining the Young's and shear moduli, E₁₁ and G₁₂, was ascertained. The Young's modulus agreed with that expected from the rule of mixtures for the composites with lowest fiber content. Short beam tests were performed on the composites. The shear stress value was improved by means of the matrix modification. Moisture sorption experiments and dynamic mechanical analysis were also performed on the natural fiber composites in the first Fickian step. Water sorption at 50% RH and 90% RH can be satisfactorily described by using a diffusional model. Water diffusion on parallelepiped samples shows a positive deviation from the Fickian behavior. Fiber capillary flow occurs through the fiber and the debonded matrix/fiber interphase during the initial Fickian step.     

Influence of the fiber surface properties on the mechanical strength of unidirectional fiber composites

The influence of the thermodynamic adhesion between fibers and matrix on the mechanical properties of a continuous fiber reinforced composite is studied for two systems: carbon fiber reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) and glass fiber reinforced poly(ether imide). The fibers are modified chemically and characterized by measuring the contact angle formed by molten resin on the fibers. Various fiber treatments yield a wide range of contact angles, which are determined optically. Unidirectional fiber reinforced laminates are manufactured and transverse flexural strength is measured with the values reported as a function of the specific work of adhesion. It is shown that adhesion at the fiber-resin interface correlates with both the composite strength and the void morphology within the laminate after consolidation.     

Wear and mechanical properties of reactive thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer/unsaturated polyester/glass fiber hybrid composites

To improve the performance of unsaturated polyester (UP) under cold‐heat alternate temperature, self‐synthesized reactive thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP)‐methacryloyl copolymer (LCMC), UP, and glass fiber (GF) hybrid composites was prepared by molding technology. The apparent activation energy and crystal behavior analysis of LCMC/UP blends were investigated by Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), respectively, the results showed that the addition of LCMC can reduce apparent activation energy and accelerate the curing reaction of UP, the XRD analysis indicated that the crystal phase of LCMC still exist in the blends after blending with UP. The effect of LCMC content on the properties of LCMC/UP/GF hybrid composites such as impact strength, bending strength, and ring‐on‐block wear were also investigated through static mechanical tests and wear tests. The mechanical properties of hybrid composites increased significantly because of the addition of LCMC. The wear tests showed that LCMC can improve the wear resistance of the UP/GF/LCMC hybrid composites even though the content of LCMC was at a relatively low level (5–7.5 wt %). This makes it possible to develop novel kind of UP‐based materials with good wear resistance for various applications. The Worn surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the mechanism for the improvement is discussed in this paper. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3899–3906, 2007     

Effect of fiber treatments on mechanical properties of coir or oil palm fiber reinforced polyester composites

The use of plant fibers as a reinforcement in polyester matrices requires the issue of compatibility between the two phases to be addressed. Because plant fibers present hydrophilic surfaces and polyesters are generally hydrophobic, poor fiber–matrix dispersion and wetting of the fibers by the matrix may result. As a consequence, the mechanical properties of the composite are severely reduced. This study considers the effect of fiber treatment by chemical modification of the fibers (acetylation) or the use of silane or titanate coupling agents on the mechanical properties of coir or oil palm reinforced polyester composites. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1685–1697, 2000     

Dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

The dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) were investigated as a function of fiber content, frequency, and temperature. Investigation proved that at all temperature range the storage modulus (E′) value is maximum for the composites having fiber loading of 40 vol%. The loss modulus (E″) and damping peaks (tan δ) were lowered with increasing fiber content. The height of the damping peaks depends upon the fiber content and the fiber/matrix adhesion. The extent of the reinforcement was estimated from the experimental storage modulus, and it has been found that the effect of reinforcement is maximum at 40 vol% fiber content. As the fiber content increases the T_g from tan δ curve showed a positive shift. The loss modulus, storage modulus, and damping peaks were evaluated as a function of frequency. The activation energy for the glass transition increases upon the fiber content. Cole–Cole analysis was made to understand the phase behavior of the fiber reinforced composites. Finally, attempts were made to correlate the experimental dynamic properties with theoretical predictions. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Physical and mechanical behavior of unidirectional banana/jute fiber reinforced epoxy based hybrid composites

During the last few years, natural fiber composites are replacing synthetic fiber composites for practical applications due to their advantages like low density, light weight, low cost, biodegradability and high specific mechanical properties. In this connection, the present investigation deals with the fabrication and mechanical properties of unidirectional banana/jute hybrid fiber reinforced composites and compares with the single natural fiber reinforced composites. The physical and mechanical properties of the natural fiber composites were obtained by testing the composite for density, tensile, flexural, inter‐laminar shear, impact, and hardness properties. The composite specimens with different weight percentages of fibers were fabricated by using hand lay‐up technique and testing were carried out as per ASTM standards. Incorporation of both the fibers into epoxy matrix resulted in an increase in mechanical properties up to 30 wt% of fiber loading. It is found that the hybrid composite give encouraging results when compared with the individual fiber composites. The morphologies of the composites are also studied by scanning electron microscope. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1396–1403, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dynamic mechanical analysis of pineapple leaf/glass hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composites

The dynamic mechanical properties of randomly oriented intimately mixed hybrid composites based on pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) and glass fibers (GF) in unsaturated polyester (PER) matrix were investigated. The PALFs have high‐specific strength and improve the mechanical properties of the PER matrix. In this study, the volume ratio of the two fibers was varied by incorporating small amounts of GF such as PALF/GF, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 50/50, keeping the total fiber loading constant at 40 wt%. The dynamic modulus of the compositeswas found to increase on GF addition. The intimately mixed (IM) hybrid composites with PALF/GF, 80/20 (0.2 V_f GF) showed highest E′ values and least damping. Interestingly, the impact strength of the composites was minimum at this volume ratio. The composites with 0.46 V_f GF or PALF/GF (50/50) showed maximum damping behavior and highest impact strength. The results were compared with hybrid composites of different layering patterns such as GPG (GF skin and PALF core) and PGP (PALF skin and GF core). IM and GPG hybrid composites are found more effective than PGP. The activation energy values for the relaxation processes in different composites were calculated. The overall results showed that hybridization with GF enhanced the performance properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The role of additives in the manufacture of sheets of unsaturated polyester and postconsumer unsaturated polyester/glass fiber composites: Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties

The storage of postconsumer glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composite impacts negatively on the environment because of the long lifetime and the volume/amount ratio of residuals, which are important aspects to be considered. Two types of additives were employed as an attempt to improve the mechanical properties of sheets manufactured with ground postconsumer glass fiber reinforced orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resin composite and virgin orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resin, a silane‐coupling agent and an organic dispersant. Flexural and impact tests, and dynamic mechanical analyses, demonstrated that the coupling agent increased the mechanical properties, while the dispersant decreased these properties, compared to material without either additive. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1834–1839, 2004     

Effects of high-temperature heat treatment on the mechanical properties of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced geopolymer composites

Unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced geopolymer composite (C_uf/geopolymer) is prepared by a simple ultrasonic-assisted slurry infiltration method, and then heat treated at elevated temperatures. Effects of high-temperature heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites are studied. Mechanical properties and fracture behavior are correlated with their microstructure evolution including fiber/matrix interface change. When the composites are heat treated in a temperature range from 1100 to 1300 °C, it is found that mechanical properties can be greatly improved. For the composite heat treated at 1100 °C, flexural strength, work of fracture and Young's modulus reach their highest values increasing by 76%, 15% and 75%, respectively, relative to their original state before heat treatment. The property improvement can be attributed to the densified and crystallized matrix, and the enhanced fiber/matrix interface bonding based on the fine-integrity of carbon fibers. In contrast, for composite heat treated at 1400 °C, the mechanical properties lower substantially and it tends to fracture in a very brittle manner owing to the seriously degraded carbon fibers together with matrix melting and crystal phases dissolve.     

Mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polyester/urethane hybrid network composites

Hybrid resins of unsaturated polyester/urethane were synthesized and characterized. Both the toughness and stiffness of the polyester were improved significantly by incorporating 20 wt% urethane. Unsaturated polyester, styrene, and ethane showed good compatibility during blending and probably formed a simultaneous interpenetrating network (IPN) during polymerization. The resultant IPN morphology possessed a unique glass transition temperature. This IPN morphology not only imparted great fracture resistance to the otherwise brittle polyester, but also changed the fracture mode of new resin composites. The molecular weight of unsaturated polyesters did not have significant effect on the mechanical properties, but did exert an apparent influence on the fracture mode. During the cure process the side reaction, an amine reaction, could be suppressed addition of suitable promoter and catalyst.     

Interfacial properties of glass fiber/brittle-ductile dual-matrix composites using micromechanical techniques and acoustic emission

The interfacial adhesion and microfailure modes of glass fiber-reinforced brittle unsaturated polyester/modified epoxy composites were investigated via micromechanical techniques and acoustic emission (AE). Various silane coupling agents caused different degrees of interfacial adhesion and subsequent microfailure modes. In the brittle matrix layer, the number of matrix fragments was significantly influenced by the type of silance coupling agents. The more cracks, the higher the interfacial adhesion under both dry and wet conditions. This is attributed to the chemical and hydrogen bondings in two interphases. The results obtained from microdroplet and fragmentation tests were correlated by associating with the AE technique. The sequential occurrence of mainly three groups of AE were as follows: the first group originated mainly from brittle matrix cracking. The second and the third groups resulted in fiber breakage and ductile matrix cracking and debonding. For dual-matrix specimens the micromechanical tests provide reliable information with regard to the interfacial adhesion and characterize the microfailure modes when combined with the AE technique.     

Investigation of flame retardancy and physical–mechanical properties of zinc borate/boric acid polyester composites

The glass fiber reinforced polyester composite materials were prepared with varying contents of boric acid, zinc borate, and magnesium hydroxide as flame retardants to improve the flame retardancy of the composites. Experimental results showed that boric acid exhibited a good flame retardant effect on the polyester composite. When boric acid content is used as 15 wt %, the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) value of the composite reached upto 25.3. The increase in boric acid content from 15 to 30 wt %, the LOI values of composite were enhanced from 25.3 to 34.5 by 9.2 units. The LOI values of the composite samples increased with increasing boric acid content. The smoke density results showed that the addition of glass fiber and flame retardants decreased the smoke density of the unreinforced polyester resin. The mechanical properties of the composites have decreased by the addition of flame retardants. The scanning electron micrographs taken from fracture surfaces were examined. The flame retardants, such as boric acid, were well dispersed in the glass fiber reinforced polyester composites and obviously improved the interfacial interaction between glass fibers and polyester composites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Role of silanes in adhesion. Part II. Dynamic mechanical properties of silane-treated glass fiber/polyester composites

—Glass fiber/unsaturated polyester composites, prepared by impregnating glass braid with varying thickness coatings (from 200 Å up to 1600 Å thick) of polyester resin, were tested with a DuPont Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer. The effects of the polyester resin thickness and silane treatments on the dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. The results are supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the composite materials. It is shown that both the concentration and the organo-functional group of the silane coupling agent influence the damping, storage, and loss moduli as well as the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the matrix resin in the closest vicinity to the glass/resin bondline. In the absence of a silane inner layer, a low T_g, 'soft' boundary layer exists due to inhibition of the polyester resin cure by the glass surface. It is noted that a reactive silane, such as γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, promotes the formation of a 'soft' or 'rigid' (high T_g) boundary layer, depending on the concentration of the silane in the treating solution. On the other hand, a non-reactive silane, such as methyltrimethoxysilane, produces a 'rigid' interphase in the entire range of concentrations of the silane solution. An attempt was made to correlate the dynamic mechanical properties of the boundary layer with the fiber/polymer interfacial shear strength. Upon pretreatment of glass fibers with silane coupling agents, the relative magnitude of the loss modulus, E", and the nature of the boundary layer (T_g) seem to be better indicators of efficient stress transfer from the polymer to the glass fiber in the composite system than tan δ. Efficient stress transfer is characterized by a low value of E" and 'soft' boundary layers. The results suggest that the mere presence of glass/polyester chemical bonding is insufficient to ensure effective stress transfer. A strong bond results from the synergistic effect of glass/silane/polymer chemical bonding and a 'soft' boundary layer.     

PEEK/carbon fiber composites: Experimental evaluation of unidirectional laminates and theoretical prediction of their properties

Comparison of tensile characteristics (modulus, strength) measured for bought-in laminates and also laminates manufactured in-house with published data has proved the testing procedure to be sound and compression molding to give composites of good quality. In the theoretical domain, the micromechanical approach was used to predict engineering constants such as the longitudinal, transverse and shear moduli that characterize the laminate in its principal directions. For the off-axis loading, macro-mechanical abstraction was applied and the angular dependencies of the above composite parameters were further supplemented by those for the Poisson ratio and the ultimate strength. Regardless of the theoretical approach used, the error of the predictions relative to the experimental data does not exceed 10 percent.     

Morphology and mechanical properties of unidirectional sisal– epoxy composites

Plant fibers are of increasing interest for use in composite materials. They are renewable resources and waste management is easier than with glass fibers. In the present study, longitudinal stiffness and strength as well as morphology of unidirectional sisal–epoxy composites manufactured by resin transfer molding (RTM) were studied. Horseshoe‐shaped sisal fiber bundles (technical fibers) were nonuniformly distributed in the matrix. In contrast to many wood composites, lumen was not filled by polymer matrix. Technical sisal fibers showed higher effective modulus when included in the composite material than in the technical fiber test (40 GPa as compared with 24 GPa). In contrast, the effective technical fiber strength in the composites was estimated to be around 400 MPa in comparison with a measured technical fiber tensile strength of 550 MPa. Reasons for these phenomena are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2358–2365, 2002     

The influence of fiber surface modification on the mechanical properties of coir‐polyester composites

Coir, an important lignocellulosic fiber, can be incorporated in polymers like unsaturated polyester in different ways for achieving desired properties and texture. But its high level of moisture absorption, poor wettability and insufficient adhesion between untreated fiber and the polymer matrix lead to debonding with age. In order to improve the above qualities, adequate surface modification is required. In our present work, fiber surface modification was effected through dewaxing, alkali (5%) treatment, aqueous graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto 5% alkali treated coir for different extents using CuSO₄ – NaIO₄ combination as an initiator system and cyanoexhylation with a view to improve the mechanical performance of coir‐polyester composites. Mechanical properties like tensile strength (PS), flexural strength (ES) and impact strength (IS) of the composites as a function of fiber loading and fiber surface modification have been evaluated. Composites containing z5 wt% of fiber (untreated) improved tensile and flexural strength by 30% and 27% respectively in comparison to neat polyester. The work of fracture (impact strength) of the composite with 25 wt% fiber content was found to be 967 J/m. The elongation at break of the composites exhibits an increase with the introduction of fiber, All types of surface modification result In improved mechanical properties of the composites. Significant improvement in mechanical strength was also observed for composites prepared from 5% PMMA grafted fiber.     

Study of jute fiber reinforced polyester composites by dynamic mechanical analysis

Cyanoethylation of jute fibers in the form of nonwoven fabric was studied, and these chemically modified fibers were used to make jute–polyester composites. The dynamic mechanical thermal properties of unsaturated polyester resin (cured) and composites of unmodified and chemically modified jute–polyester were studied by using a dynamic mechanical analyzer over a wide temperature range. The data suggest that the storage modulus and thermal transition temperature of the composites increased enormously due to cyanoethylation of fiber. An increase of the storage modulus of composites, prepared from chemically modified fiber, indicates its higher stiffness as compared to a composite prepared from unmodified fiber. It is also observed that incorporation of jute fiber (both unmodified and modified) with the unsaturated resin reduced the tan δ peak height remarkably. Composites prepared from cyanoethylated jute show better creep resistance at comparatively lower temperatures. On the contrary, a reversed phenomenon is observed at higher temperatures (120°C and above). Scanning electron micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of unmodified and modified jute–polyester composites clearly demonstrate better fiber–matrix bonding in the case of the latter. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1505–1513, 1999     

Influence of matrix and interface on the mechanical properties of unidirectional carbon/carbon composites

The mechanical properties and microstructure of unidirectional carbon/carbon (UD C/C) were investigated. The strength of one type of UD C/C, produced with an intermediate modulus fibre treated to four different levels of an oxidative surface treatment, was determined after each step of the production cycle (of loose, impregnated and carbonized impregnated fibre bundles). The impregnated bundle had a strength 1.9–4.3 times the strength of the loose bundle, whereas after carbonization the strength of the bundle dropped below the strength of the loose bundle. It is suggested that this is mainly caused by the formation of defects in the fibres due to the shrinkage process during carbonization. These defects are larger if a good fibre/matrix bond strength in the green material exists. The possibility that the low strength of carbon/carbon could be caused by stress-concentration effects was excluded with the aid of TEM investigations. They showed that the carbon matrix mainly consisted of vitreous carbon, the modulus of which (E = 35 GPa) does not become effective due to micro- and macrocracks.     

Flax and cotton fiber reinforced biodegradable polyester amide composites, 1. Manufacture of composites and characterization of their mechanical properties

Biodegradable composites consisting of flax (FF) and cotton (CT) fiber mats and poly(ester amide) (PEA) films were hot pressed using the film stacking process. The process parameters press temperature, pressure, press time in the tool, and drying conditions of fiber and matrix were optimized with regard to the mechanical properties as well as the visual quality of the composites. Press temperature turned out as being the most important quantity. The mechanical properties of the composites were characterized.