Effects of alkalization and fiber loading on the mechanical properties and morphology of bamboo fiber composites. II. Resol matrix

Resol resin composites reinforced with alkali‐treated bamboo strips were fabricated with a hand‐lay‐up technique. This study was aimed at the evaluation of the influence of the caustic concentration on the mechanical properties of bamboo‐strip‐reinforced resol composites with a constant 50% loading of the reinforcement. The treatment of bamboo fiber in a solution of sodium hydroxide with increasing concentration percentages resulted in more and more rigid composites; as a result, the strength and modulus values exhibited improvements. The maximum improvement in the properties was possibly achieved with 20% caustic treated reinforcements. An infrared study indicated the formation of aryl alkyl ether with ? OH groups of cellulose and methylol groups of resol. Beyond 20%, there was degradation in all the strength properties due to the failure of the mechanical properties of the reinforcement itself. A correlation was found to exist between the mechanical properties and the morphology that developed. Another set of composites with variable loadings of 20% alkali treated fiber (40, 50, and 60%) was fabricated, and a 60% fiber loading showed the best mechanical properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

The effect of alkalization and fiber loading on the mechanical properties of bamboo fiber composites,Part 1: — Polyester resin matrix

Bamboo strips [10 cm × 1.5 cm × (1?1.5) mm] were treated with caustic solutions for 1 h at different concentrations e.g., 0, 10, 15, 20, and 25%. Bamboo strips reinforced polyester resin composites were fabricated by hand‐lay‐up technique using both alkali‐treated and untreated bamboo strips, using a room temperature curing system for the polyester resin. This study aims at the evaluation of the influence of caustic concentration on the mechanical properties of bamboo strips reinforced polyester resin composites at a constant 50% loading of reinforcement. Maximum improvement in property was achieved possibly with 20% of caustic treated strip reinforcements. Beyond 20%, there was degradation in all the strength properties because of failure in mechanical properties of the reinforcements itself. The effect of fiber loading variation upon mechanical properties was also studied. It was observed that superior mechanical properties were obtained with 60% filler loading. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Mechanical properties,thermal stability,and flame retardance of novolac‐type phenolic resin blended with poly(dimethylsiloxaneadipamide)

Mechanical properties (flexural strength, flexural modulus, and notched Izod impact strength), thermal stability, and flame retardance of poly(dimethylsiloxane adipamide) (PDMSA)‐toughened novolac type phenolic resin were investigated. Mechanical properties of modified novolac‐type phenolic resin increase with PDMSA contents, because the soft segment of PDMSA absorbs the loads in the network of brittle novolac‐type phenolic resins. TGA results show that the thermal degradation temperatures are higher than 400°C, and the temperature of 10% weight loss increases with increasing the PDMSA content. The char yield increases with novolac‐type phenolic resin content. The morphologies of the fracture surface of the modified novolac‐type phenolic resin were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphological results agree with those from mechanical properties of the modified novolac‐type phenolic resin. The modified novolac‐type phenolic resin also shows excellent flame retardance that is UL‐94, V‐1, and the limited oxygen index is higher than 35. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 631–637, 2001     

Effect of fiber surface treatment on the properties of biocomposites from nonwoven industrial hemp fiber mats and unsaturated polyester resin

Biocomposites were made with nonwoven hemp mats and unsaturated polyester resin (UPE). The hemp fiber volume fraction was optimized by mechanical testing. The effect of four surface treatments of industrial hemp fibers on mechanical and thermal properties of biocomposites was studied. The treatments done were alkali treatment, silane treatment, UPE (matrix) treatment, and acrylonitrile treatment. Bending strength, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, tensile modulus, impact strength, storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ were evaluated and compared for all composites. The mechanical as well as thermal properties of the biocomposites improved after surface treatments. The properties of the above biocomposites were also compared with E‐glass–mat composite. To achieve balance in properties, a hybrid composite of industrial hemp and glass fibers was made. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1055–1068, 2006     

Morphology transition of bismaleimide‐modified novolac resin

The bismaleimide (BMI)‐modified novolac resin was synthesized by allylation of the novolac resin and its “Ene” reaction with BMI. The reactions were monitored by Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR). The morphology of the BMI‐modified novolac resin changed with degree of allylation (i.e., the amount of BMI used). On the basis of the studies done by dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), it was found that when the degree of allylation increased from 48 to 59%, the resin changed from a single‐phase structure to a two‐phase structure. From the research by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DMA, it was found that the higher allyl‐content (when > 48%) caused a decrease of the thermal properties and mechanical properties of the resultant resin. The BMI‐modified allyl novolac resin with 48% degree of allylation has the best thermal properties and the highest dynamic modulus in the current research. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 76–83, 2006     

Dynamical mechanical analysis of sisal/oil palm hybrid fiber‐reinforced natural rubber composites

Natural rubber was reinforced with sisal and oil palm fibers and was subjected to dynamic mechanical analysis to determine the dynamic properties as a function of temperature. The storage modulus E′ was found to increase with weight fraction of fiber. This is due to the increased stiffness imparted by the natural fibers. Loss modulus increased with loading while the damping property was found to decrease. The fibers were subjected to alkali treatment of different concentrations namely 0.5, 1, 2, and 4% and the dynamic properties were studied. In the case of composites containing chemically modified fibers, storage modulus and loss modulus were found to increase. Scanning electron micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of treated and untreated composites demonstrated better fiber–matrix bonding in the case of the former. POLYM. COMPOS., 27: 671–680, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermogravimetric and weathering study of novolac resin composites reinforced with mercerized bamboo fiber

The effect of alkali treatment of bamboo strips on the thermal and weathering properties of unidirectional bamboo strips‐novolac resin composites were investigated in this work. Both alkali treated and untreated bamboo fiber‐reinforced composites were fabricated. All types of composite specimens were subjected to accelerated weathering and the % water absorption and dimensional changes were recorded after 120 h immersion in water at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and further characterized by flexural property measurements. The composites were also subjected to exposure at 100% humidity and UV exposure (sun light) for 75 h. The results showed that the composites with treated bamboo strips showed a better weathering characteristics compared with the untreated ones. Thermogravimatric analysis of all the samples indicated better thermal properties of alkali treated samples. These findings confirmed the improved interfacial interactions arising from covalent bonds between the alkali treated bamboo fibers and novolac resin. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of quasi‐carbonization processing parameters on the mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites

In this work, quasi‐carbon fabrics were produced by quasi‐carbonization processes conducted at and below 1200°C. Stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics and quasi‐carbon fabrics were used as reinforcements of phenolic composites with a 50 wt %/50 wt % ratio of the fabric to the phenolic resin. The effect of the quasi‐carbonization process on the flexural properties, interfacial strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites was investigated in terms of the flexural strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength, and storage modulus. The results were also compared with those of a stabilized PAN fabric/phenolic composite. The flexural, interlaminar, and dynamic mechanical results were quite consistent with one another. On the basis of all the results, the quasi‐static and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites increased with the applied external tension and heat‐treatment temperature increasing and with the heating rate decreasing for the quasi‐carbonization process. This study shows that control of the processing parameters strongly influences not only the mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites but also the interlaminar shear strength between the fibers and the matrix resin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Differences in physico-mechanical behaviors of resol(e) and novolac type phenolic resin based composite bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell

Composite bipolar plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) are prepared by compression molding technique using polymer as binder and graphite as electric filler material with some other reinforcements. Study on the effect of resole and novolac type phenolic resin on the properties of composite bipolar plate, such as bulk density, porosity, bulk conductivity, hardness, flexural strength, etc. shows that both of the resin shows different physico-mechanical properties. Moreover, single cell performance analysis also shows variation for resole and novolac based composites. A novel concept of triple continuous structure to provide graphite polymer blends with high electrical conductivity, high shore hardness, high flexural strength, less porosity and low density has been proposed and study on the effect of different types of phenolic resin on the properties and performance of bipolar plate reveals that novolac type powdered phenolic resin gives better mechanical properties than resole type phenolic resin. However, resole type phenolic resin compound has slightly higher electrical conductivity due to more number of polar -OH group presents on its cured form. But due to the less porosity and higher mechanical strength, bipolar plates with novolac type phenolic resin gives better performance in I-V analysis than bipolar plates with resole type phenolic resin.     

Study on BMI modified allyl‐functional novolac resin/silica cloth composites: Effect of allylation degree on thermal and mechanical properties

A series of allyl‐functional novolac resin with various allylation degree, from 32.4 to 114.6%, were synthesized and then blended reactively with 4,4′‐bismaleimide biphenyl methane (BMI) at a weight ratio of 2.50:1 to get BMI‐modified allyl‐functional novolac (BMAN) resins. BMAN resins were used as matrix resin to fabricate BMAN/Silica cloth composites by compression molding process. Heat‐resistant properties of the composites were evaluated by means of dynamic mechanical analysis. The results indicated that thermal resistance of the composites increased as allylation degree of BMAN resins increased. Mechanical properties of the composites, including interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexural strength at room temperature and 300°C, were determined, and the results showed that with increase in allylation degree of matrices the ILSS and flexural strength values of composites at room temperature decreased, but the values of ILSS and flexural strength at 300°C increased. Scanning electron microscope morphology analysis of fracture surface for composites revealed that tough interphase was responsible for the better mechanical properties of the composites based on lower allylation degree resins. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:180–185, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Interfacial,dynamic mechanical,and thermal fiber reinforced behavior of MAPE treated sisal fiber reinforced HDPE composites

The present article summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical behavior of sisal fiber reinforced HDPE composites. Variations in mechanical strength, storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″), and damping parameter (tan δ) with the addition of fibers and coupling agents were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths increased with the increase in fiber loading up to 30%, above which there was a significant deterioration in the mechanical strength. Further, the composites treated with MAPE showed improved properties in comparison with the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data also showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites The tan δ spectra presented a strong influence of fiber content and coupling agent on the α and γ relaxation process of HDPE. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from TGA/DTG thermograms. The fiber–matrix morphology in the treated composites was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens. FTIR spectra of the treated and untreated composites were also studied, to ascertain the existence of type of interfacial bonds. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3306–3315, 2006     

End‐functionalized thermoplastic‐toughened phthalonitrile composites: influence on cure reaction and mechanical and thermal properties

Phthalonitrile polymers are known for their high thermal stability and good mechanical properties. However, their brittle nature limits their application as structural composites in many critical areas. The present study investigates the feasibility of toughening novolac–phthalonitrile (NPN) resin using chemically modified poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK). A telechelic PEEK bearing a phthalonitrile end group (PEEKPN) was synthesized via nucleophilic substitution of nitrophthalonitrile with the corresponding phenol–telechelic poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEKOH). Different compositions of NPN and PEEKOH–PEEKPN blends with curing agent, i.e. diaminodiphenylsulfone, were investigated for their cure behaviour and mechanical properties of their carbon fabric composites. In NPN–PEEKOH blends, crosslinking of the phthalonitrile groups was facilitated by phenol‐mediated reactions resulting in the reduction of cure temperatures by around 130 °C with substantial improvement in thermal stability. Blending the resin with the thermoplastic enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. The apparent flexural strength and impact strength of carbon fabric‐reinforced composites were improved by more than 200 and 150%, respectively, on incorporation of 20 wt% PEEKOH in the NPN matrix. However, higher concentration of PEEKOH had a detrimental effect on the properties. Substitution of phenol end groups by phthalonitrile moieties led to integration of the PEEK moieties with the NPN matrix. However, it was not as conducive as PEEKOH for improving the matrix properties. The better performance of PEEKOH is attributed to the formation of polar heterocyclic groups like isoindoline by way of the phenol–nitrile reaction. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal and electrical properties of glass fiber reinforced o‐cresol novolac epoxy composites cured with allylated phenol novolac hardener

An allyl group was introduced into a phenol novolac hardener to improve the thermal and electrical properties of glass fiber reinforced o‐cresol novolac epoxy composites. Based on ¹H NMR analysis, it was found that the degree of allylation was measured as 12.5% and 15.3% of allylated moieties underwent Claisen rearrangement. Thermal and electrical properties of the prepared composites were investigated by thermal mechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric measurements. Their thermal expansion coefficient and glass transition temperature measured by thermal mechanical analysis varied from 20.1 to 18.0 ppm K^?1 and 132.5 to 170.9 °C, respectively, due to allylation of the phenol novolac hardener. From the storage modulus at the rubbery plateau, it was confirmed that these improvements were mainly caused by an increase in the crosslink density of the matrix resin owing to allyl groups. The electrical properties of the composites, however, showed no noticeable changes by allylation of the phenol novolac hardener. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Jute Fiber Composites from Coal,Super Clean Coal,and Petroleum Vacuum Residue–Modified Phenolic Resin

Jute fiber composites were prepared with novolac and coal, phenolated-oxidized super clean coal (POS), petroleum vacuum residue (XVR)–modifiedphenol-formaldehyde (novolac) resin. Five different type of resins, i.e., coal, POS, and XVR-modified resins were used by replacing (10% to 50%) with coal, POS, and XVR. The composites thus prepared have been characterized by tensile strength, hardness, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transfer infrared (FT-IR), water absorption, steam absorption, and thickness swelling studies. Twenty percent POS-modified novolac composites showed almost the same tensile strength as that of pure novolac composites. After 30% POS incorporation, the tensile strength decreased to 25.84 MPa from 33.96 MPa in the case of pure novolac resin composites. However, after 50% POS incorporation, the percent retention of tensile strength was appreciable, i.e., 50.80% retention of tensile strength to that of pure novolac jute composites. The tensile strength of coal and XVR-modified composites showed a trend similar to that shown by POS-modified novolac resin composites. However, composites prepared from coal and XVR-modified resin with 50% phenol replacement showed 25.4% and 42% tensile strength retention, respectively, compared to that of pure novolac jute composites. It was found that the hardness of the modified composites slightly decreased with an increase in coal, POS, and XVR incorporation in the resin. The XVR-modified composites showed comparatively lower steam absorption than did coal or POS-modified composites. The thermal stability of the POS-modified composites was the highest among the composites studied. The detailed results obtained are being reported.     

Fabrication of hybrid matrix/silane modified carbon fabric composites and study of their mechanical properties

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites are an extremely strong and light fiber-reinforced plastics that contains carbon fiber. In the present study, carbon fabrics were treated with various weight percentages of silane and were confirmed by spectral analysis (Fourier transform infrared). The treated carbon fibers were reinforced in hybrid resin (a combination of vinyl ester and epoxy at a ratio of 80:20) by using vacuum-assisted resin transfer mold technique. The composites were tested to know their tensile strength, modulus, flexural strength, modulus, and interlaminar shear strength. The hybrid matrix specimen was also prepared and tested for the mechanical properties and confirmed the miscibility by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of hybrid matrix composites (HMCs) were studied by fracture surface morphology with scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the HMCs increased with silane treatment. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47695.     

表面处理对剑麻纤维布/不饱和树脂材料性能影响

采用碱、高锰酸钾及热对剑麻纤维布进行了表面处理,并由真空辅助树脂传递模塑成型(VARTM)工艺制备了剑麻纤维布增强不饱和聚酯树脂复合材料。通过对复合材料的力学性能及吸水性的测试,研究了不同剑麻纤维布表面处理对其不饱和聚酯树脂复合材料性能的影响。结果表明:经过碱处理,复合材料的拉伸、弯曲,冲击强度提高最大,可分别提高26.5%,16.5%和22.6%,吸水率降低了47.5%。对剑麻纤维布进行表面处理可使复合材料的界面性能得到改善,力学性能提高,吸水性降低。     

The effect of alkali treatment and filler size on the properties of sawdust/UPR composites based on recycled PET wastes

In this study, natural sawdust fillers from acacia were mixed with unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), which was prepared by recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles to prepare sawdust/UPR composite. PET wastes were recycled through glycolysis and depolymerized to produce a formulation for the resin. The effects of alkali treatment, filler content, and filler size on the tensile, flexural, hardness, and water absorption of the composites were investigated. The results show that the modulus of both tensile and flexural increased with increasing filler contents, but the tensile and flexural strength of composites decreased. The size of sawdust also played a significant role in the mechanical properties, with smaller size sawdust producing higher strength and modulus. This is due to the greater surface area for filler–matrix interaction. The results also show that alkali treatment causes a better adhesion between sawdust and UPR matrix and improves the mechanical properties of the composites. Furthermore, surface treatment reduced the water absorption of composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effects of methyl methacrylate grafting and polyamide coating on the interfacial behavior and mechanical properties of jute‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites

In recent years, environmentally friendly materials have become popular because of the growing environmental demands in human society. Natural fibers are now widely used as reinforcements in polymer matrix composites for their various advantages such as low cost, light weight, abundant resources, and biodegradability. However, the applications of these kinds of composites are limited because of their unsatisfactory mechanical properties, which are caused by the poor interfacial compatibility between the fibers and the thermoplastic matrix. In this paper, three methods, including (i) alkali treatment, (ii) alkali and methyl methacrylate (MMA) treatment, and (iii) alkali and polyamide (PA) treatment (APT), were used to treat jute fibers and improve the interfacial adhesion of jute‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (JPCs). The mechanical properties of the JPCs were tested, and their impact fracture surfaces were observed. Infrared spectral analysis showed that MMA was grafted and that PA was coated onto the surface of jute fibers. Mechanical tests indicated that the three kinds of pretreated composites presented better mechanical properties than untreated composites. Among them, the APT composite had the best comprehensive properties. Compared with untreated composites, the tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of APT composite were increased by 24.8, 31.3, and 28.4%, respectively. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed that better interfacial compatibility between jute fibers and PP occured in this kind of composite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of reinforcing effect of alumina nanoparticles on the novolac phenolic resin

Very fine alumina nanoparticles were loaded in novolac type phenolic resin (PF) using solution mixing method. The concentration of nanoalumina in PF was varied between 2.5 to 20 wt%. All the compounds were compression molded and then subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile, flexural, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests. SEM analysis showed that the nanoalumina were dispersed uniformly at low concentrations, however, at high concentrations, dispersion was suppressed leading to agglomerates in the composites. Mechanical testing revealed that the nanoalumina had a great influence on the strength and stiffness of PF resin particularly at concentrations below 5 wt%. However, at concentration above 5 wt%, the stress concentrations were developed because of the formation of big aggregates that results in strength reduction. Theoretical analyses based on Pukanszky and micromechanical models of tensile modulus revealed that strong interfacial interaction and thick interphase region around the alumina nanoparticles is formed. DMA results suggested that the nanoalumina increased the crosslinking density of the PF resin, possibly around the interface region. It was also postulated that an apparent percolation state is established above 5 wt% loading of nanoalumina in which interphase region comes to contact before direct contact of particle leading to continuous interphase region. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1285–1293, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Unsaturated polyester‐toughened epoxy composites: Effect of sisal fiber on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties

In the present study, the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP)‐toughened epoxy composites were investigated. The sisal fibers were chemically treated with alkali (NaOH) and silane solutions in order to improve the interfacial interaction between fibers and matrix. The chemical composition of resins and fibers was identified by using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The UP‐toughened epoxy blends were obtained by mixing UP (5, 10, and 15 wt%) into the epoxy resin. The fiber‐reinforced composites were prepared by incorporating sisal fibers (10, 20, and 30 wt%) within the optimized UP‐toughened epoxy blend. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphological changes of the fibers and the adhesion between the fibers and the UP‐toughened epoxy system. The results showed that the tensile and flexural strength of (alkali‐silane)‐treated fiber (30 wt%) ‐reinforced composites increased by 83% and 55%, respectively, as compared with that of UP‐toughened epoxy blend. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the (alkali‐silane)‐treated fiber and its composite exhibited higher thermal stability than the untreated and alkali‐treated fiber systems. An increase in storage modulus and glass transition temperature was observed for the UP‐toughened epoxy matrix on reinforcement with treated fibers. The water uptake behavior of both alkali and alkali‐silane‐treated fiber‐reinforced composites is found to be less as compared with the untreated fiber‐reinforced composite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:188–199, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers