Effect of organo‐modified layered silicates on flammability performance of high‐density polyethylene/rice husk flour nanocomposite

This research was carried out to investigate on the effect of organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) on the flame retarding characteristics and clay dispersion of composites based on high‐density polyethylene and rice husk flour. To meet this objective, the blend nanocomposites were prepared through the melt mixing of high‐density polyethylene and rice husk flour at 50% weight ratios, with various amounts of OMMT (0, 2, 4, and 6 per hundred compounds) in Hakee internal mixer; then, the samples were made by injection molding. Results indicated that the burning rate, total smoke production, and heat release rate of samples decreased with increasing the OMMT content. Also, the char residue and time to ignition increased with increasing the nanoclay loading. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed that the nanocomposites formed were intercalated. Also, morphological findings showed that samples containing 2 per hundred compounds of OMMT had higher order of intercalation and better dispersion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Fabrication and characterization of functionally graded nanoclay/glass fiber/epoxy hybrid nanocomposite laminates

In this work, hardness, tensile, impact, bearing strength and water absorption tests were performed to study the mechanical properties of stepwise graded and non-graded hybrid nanocomposites. Three different stepwise graded nanocomposites and one non-graded (homogeneous) nanocomposite with the same geometry and total nanoclay content of 10 wt% were designed and prepared. Moreover, one neat glass fiber laminate was manufactured. The results of the tests indicated that addition of the graded and non-graded nanoclay improves hardness over neat glass fiber reinforcement. The maximum increase in hardness of about 53% over neat specimen is obtained for specimens that have the highest weight percentage (2 wt%) of the clay nanoparticles on its surface (S-specimen and the side of F-specimen that reinforced with 2 wt% nanoclay). The gradation process results in an increase in hardness of about 11% compared with non-graded (homogeneous) specimen. In addition, an improvement of 11.9% in strain-to-failure is achieved with specimen having greatest amount of nanoclay in the middle over neat glass fiber/epoxy composite. The other nanoclay-filled glass fiber composites have strain-to-failure close to neat glass fiber/epoxy. The addition of nanoclay reinforcement has insignificant effect on ultimate tensile strength, tensile modulus, water absorption, bearing strength and impact strength compared with neat glass fiber/epoxy.     

Evaluation of mechanical,morphological, and biodegradable properties of hybrid natural fiber polymer nanocomposites

Hybrid natural fiber polymer nanocomposites were prepared using various natural fibers (kenaf, coir, and wood), polypropylene, and montmorillonite nanoclay through the hot compression method. The effects of fiber hybridization and nanoclay content on the physico‐mechanical and biodegradable properties of the synthesized composites were investigated. Fourier‐transform infrared and scanning electron microscopic analyses indicated that the structure and surface morphology of composites were transformed after fiber hybridization and the subsequent nanoclay incorporation. X‐ray diffraction pattern revealed that the percent crystallinity of hybrid nanocomposites significantly increased. Furthermore, the tensile strength and tensile modulus also significantly improved for the hybrid nanocomposites due to the addition of montmorillonite nanoclay. The biodegradability and water absorption tests were conducted. The results show that biodegradability of the nanocomposites decreased and water absorption increased due to the addition of montmorillonite nanoclay. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:583–587, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

GF及偶联剂改性PVC/稻壳木塑复合材料

采用模压成型的方式、通过实验探索玻璃纤维(GF)含量及偶联剂处理对聚氯乙烯(PVC)/稻壳木塑复合材料的力学特性和耐磨性的影响。实验结果表明:PVC/稻壳木塑复合材料的硬度随GF含量增加呈现先减小后增大的趋势。GF含量在15%以下时,随着GF用量的增大,木塑复合材料的拉伸强度与冲击强度总体上随之变大,超过15%则随GF含量增大而减小。而弯曲强度出现先减后增的趋势,弯曲弹性模量则与之相反。木塑复合材料的耐磨损性在GF含量为15%时最佳,摩擦系数在10%时最大。合适的偶联剂处理能增强木塑复合材料的力学性能和耐磨性。其中γ–氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(KH550)的增强效果比较好,钛酸酯不能提高PVC/稻壳木塑材料的力学性能和耐磨性。     

Wear resistance and friction coefficient of nano-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and ash-filled HDPE/lignocellulosic fiber composites

This work comparatively evaluates the effect of nano-SiO₂ (at 2 and 3 wt%), rice husk and bagasse ash (at 5 and 10 wt%) on the wear resistance and friction coefficient of HDPE (high-density polyethylene)/lignocellulosic fiber composites. Rice husk and bagasse fibers at 50% by weight contents were mixed with HDPE and 2% maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer. SEM images showed a fairly appropriate connection between the polymer matrix and fillers. We found that the fillers improve the wear resistance, and the effect of nano-SiO₂ is more pronounced. The rice husk ash showed a better performance compared to the bagasse ash, probably due to greater SiO₂ content measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In contrast to nano-SiO₂, both ashes had a reducing effect on other mechanical strengths (Izod impact resistance, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture). All fillers remarkably increased the water absorption and thickness swelling. The water uptake of composites increased after wear.     

硅烷偶联剂对PE-HD基木塑复合材料力学性能的影响

采用乙烯基三乙氧基硅烷对稻壳粉进行表面处理,然后在过氧化二苯甲酞（BPO）引发剂的作用下与高密度聚乙烯（PE-HD）混合挤出制备了PE-HD/稻壳粉复合材料。对复合材料进行力学性能测试和熔体流动速率测定,并对硅烷接枝PE-HD粒子进行红外光谱分析,同时利用扫描电子显微镜分析偶联剂处理对复合材料微观形貌的影响。结果表明,偶联剂的加入,降低了熔体流动速率,使得木塑复合材料各组分的分散性和相容性得到了改善;当偶联剂、PE-HD和稻壳粉的质量比为1∶100∶50时,复合材料的力学性能最佳,其中弯曲强度相对于未加偶联剂的复合材料提高了32.24 ％,冲击强度提高了140 ％;稻壳粉的增加,降低了熔体流动速率,提高了复合材料的弯曲强度,降低了拉伸强度、冲击强度和断裂伸长率;乙烯基三乙氧基硅烷已经熔融接枝在PE-HD分子上。     

Studies on mechanical properties of polyethylene–organic fiber composites. I. Nut shell flour

Composites were made from polyethylene and an organic fiber (pecan shell and peanut hull flour) using a compression-molding technique. Studies of variations in molding temperature (145–180°C), fiber concentration (0–40% by weight), and fiber mesh size (100, 200, and 325) were correlated to the mechanical properties of the composites (tensile strength, elongation, fracture energy, modulus, and impact strength). In untreated nut shell composites, tensile strength decreased steadily as the fiber concentration increased. This was due to poor bonding between the untreated fiber and polymer. Polyisocyanate was used as a coupling agent and its effect on mechanical properties of the composites was studied. Significant improvement in tensile strength was achieved with an isocyanate coupling agent, but it had no effect on modulus of the composites. Both untreated and isocyanate-treated composites had lower impact strength values; further composite matrix modifications would be necessary to maintain or improve impact strength.     

Influence of nanoclay and coupling agent on the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene/bagasse nanocomposite

In this work, the effects of nanoclay (1–4 wt %) and coupling agent (2 and 4 wt %) loading on the physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites are investigated. Composites based on polypropylene (PP), bagasse flour, and nanoclay (montmorillonite type) was made by melt compounding and then compression molding. When 1–3 wt % nanoclay was added, the tensile properties increased significantly, but then decreased slightly as the nanoclay content increased to 4%. The impact strength was 6% lower by the addition of 1 wt % nanoclay, it was decreased further when the nanoclay content increased from 1 to 4%. Finally, the water absorption of PP/bagasse composites was lowered with the increase in nanoclay content. Additionally, the coupling agent, 4 wt % MAPP, improved the mechanical and physical properties of the composites more than the 2 wt % MAPP. From these results, we can conclude that addition of nanoclay enables to achieve better physical and mechanical properties in conventional composites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effects of reprocessing on the hygroscopic behavior of natural fiber high‐density polyethylene composites

Detailed analysis of the effects of recycling process on long‐term water absorption, thickness swelling, and water desorption behavior of natural fiber high‐density polyethylene composites is reported. Composite materials containing polyethylene and wood flour, rice hulls, or bagasse fibers and 2% compatibilizer were produced at constant fiber loading and were exposed to a simulated recycling process consisting of up to five times grinding and reprocessing under controlled conditions. A wide range of analytical methods including water absorption/desorption tests, thickness swelling tests, density measurement, scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, contact angle, fiber length analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and tensile tests were employed to understand the hygroscopic behavior of the recycled composites. Water absorption and thickness swelling behaviors were modeled using existing predictive models and a mathematical model was developed for water desorption at constant temperature. Results indicated that generally the recycled composites had considerably lower water absorption and thickness swellings as compared with the original composites which were attributed to changes in physical and chemical properties of the composites induced by the recycling process. Water desorption was found to be faster after recycling. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Enhanced thermal stability and flame retarding properties of recycled polyethylene based wood composites via addition of polyethylene/nanoclay masterbatch

Abstract

Barrier and mechanical properties of wood powder composites based on recycled polyethylene (RPE) were modified using a commercial nanoclay masterbatch. X-ray diffraction, dynamic rheology and thermogravimetric analysis measurements showed that nanoclay from the selected masterbatch was well dispersed and formed a percolation network in both virgin and RPEs. The resulting nanocomposites promoted the thermal stability of matrix significantly. Modification efficiency of nanoclay, however, was evidently influenced by the type of matrix, where the strongest effect was achieved in a low viscosity virgin high density PE. The masterbatch was incorporated into an industrial formula designed extrusion quality RPE/wood flour composite. Processing procedures, mainly compounding cycles, and material composition, mainly clay content and type of coupling agent, were optimised. Two extrusion cycles led to higher uniformity of resulting composites than one cycle. Addition of a coupling agent, which has medium viscosity and plenty functional groups, led to enhanced tensile strength. The twice compounded composites were well stiffened and strengthened via combination of 6 wt-% clay and medium viscosity coupling agent. All composites without the addition of nanoclay burned faster after ignition and dripped much earlier and more compared to the composites containing nanoclay even with as small amount as 3 wt-% and being compounded once. The material with 6 wt-% clay showed the best sample integrity and burned slowest of all the tested composites. Furthermore, no dripping during combustion was seen for this material. This study shows that the incorporation of nanoclay using the selected masterbatch can effectively improve the flame retarding properties of RPE based wood composites.     

Mechanical behavior of agro‐residue‐reinforced polypropylene composites

In this research, fully environment‐friendly, sustainable and biodegradable composites were fabricated, using wheat straw and rice husk as reinforcements for thermoplastics, as an alternative to wood fibers. Mechanical properties including tensile, flexural, and impact strength properties were examined as a function of the amount of fiber and coupling agent used. In the sample preparation, three levels of fiber loading (30, 40, and 50 wt %) and two levels of coupling agent content (0 and 2 wt %) were used. As the percentage of fiber loading increased, flexural and tensile properties increased significantly. Notched Izod results showed a decrease in strength as the percentage of fiber increases. With addition of 50% fiber, the impact strengths decreased to 16.3, 14.4, and 16.4 J/m respectively, for wheat straw‐, rice husk‐, and poplar‐filled composites. In general, presence of coupling agent had a great effect on the mechanical strength properties. Wheat straw‐ and rice husk‐filled composites showed an increase in the tensile and flexural properties with the incorporation of the coupling agent. From these results, we can conclude that wheat straw and rice husk fibers can be potentially suitable raw materials for manufacturing biocomposite products. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effect of electron beam irradiation on physico–mechanical properties of wood flour–polyethylene composites

Agricultural lignocellulosic fiber (wood flour)‐waste was used to prepare composite materials through partial replacement of wood flour with low density polyethylene powder (LDPE) ranged from 10 to 20% by weight; these composites were made with and without electron beam irradiation (EB). The results obtained showed that, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and impact strength increase with increasing content of LDPE up to 20%. While, the percentages of thickness swelling and water absorption are decreased directly with increasing content of LDPE. Furthermore, the EB irradiation improves the physico‐mechanical properties of composite materials from 10 to 50 kGy. The results obtained are also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of coupling agents on rice‐husk‐filled HDPE extruded profiles

Lignocellulosic composites are diversifying their applications into various fields as they can meet the requirements of the respective applications by changing the matrix, fiber resource and processing ingredients. In this research work we explored the potential of extruded rice‐husk‐filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite profiles for structural applications. The structure and the properties of the interface in fiber‐reinforced composites play a crucial role in determining the performance properties of the composites. An optimum degree of adhesion between the fiber and the matrix is required for efficient stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber. Generally, coupling agents are used to improve the adhesion between lignocellulosic filler and the polymer matrix in structural composite materials. In this study, four different coupling agents based on ethylene‐(acrylic ester)‐(maleic anhydride) terpolymers and ethylene‐(acrylic ester)‐(glycidyl methacrylate) terpolymers were used to enhance the performance properties of the composites. The results indicated that these coupling agents enhanced the tensile and flexural strength of the composites significantly, and the extent of the coupling effect depends on the nature of the interface formed. Incorporation of coupling agents enhanced the resistance to thermal deformation and the water absorption properties of the composite, whereas it reduced the extrusion rate significantly. Among the four coupling agents used, EGMA1—the one with a glycidyl methacrylate functional group and without any methyl acrylate pendant group on the polymer backbone—was found to be the best coupling agent for the rice‐husk‐filled HDPE composites. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

PLA/稻壳粉复合材料界面改性方法及性能研究

以聚乳酸(PLA)和稻壳粉为原料,添加不同含量壳聚糖、硅烷偶联剂和氢氧化钠(NaOH)作为改性剂,通过压膜成型法制备了PLA/稻壳粉复合材料,并对复合材料的力学性能和吸水性进行了测试表征,同时对复合材料进行了X射线衍射仪(XRD)分析.结果表明,当壳聚糖含量为4 g时,复合材料的洛氏硬度较高,其冲击强度、弯曲强度、拉伸...     

Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Poly (vinyl chloride) and Waste Rice Husk Ash Composites Compatibilized with <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane

In this paper, γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane treated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/rice husk ash (RHA) composites were successfully prepared by a reactive extrusion process. Experimental results revealed that both the tensile modulus and tensile strength increased at all silane coupling agent concentrations. The composites with 1 wt% silane exhibited the highest impact strength with 44 % increment. For the untreated composites, poor interfacial adhesion between PVC and RHA was clearly observed. Below the glass transition temperature (T_g), the silane induced higher storage modulus (E ^′) but it seemed to be independent of E^′ above T_g. Total water absorption at 90 days reduced by 38 % when the silane was added at 1 wt%, which confirmed that some voids were eliminated.     

Effect of a silane coupling agent on the properties of white rice husk ash–polypropylene/natural rubber composites

White rice husk ash (WRHA)–polypropylene (PP)/natural rubber (NR) composites were prepared using a Brabender Plasticorder at 180 °C and a rotor speed of 50 rev min^?1. The mechanical and water‐absorption properties were studied. The incorporation of WRHA into the PP/NR matrix has resulted in the improvement of the tensile modulus; however, the tensile strength, elongation at break and stress at yield decreased with increasing WRHA loading. Poor filler matrix interactions are believed to be responsible for the decrease in the properties. Incorporation of a silane coupling agent, 3‐aminopropyl triethoxysilane (3‐APE), improved tensile modulus, tensile strength and stress at yield of the composites. Water‐absorption studies indicate that the use of the coupling agent reduced the amount of water absorbed by the composites. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sunflower seed cake as reinforcing filler in thermoplastic composites

Dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and melting and crystallization behavior of polypropylene composites filled with sunflower seed cake (SSC) were investigated. Injection molded composites were prepared from the SSC flour and polypropylene with and without maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAPP) at 30, 40, 50, and 60 wt % contents of the SSC flour. Twenty‐eight days thickness swelling and water absorption values of the specimens increased by 43 and 56% as the filler content increased from 30 to 60 wt %, respectively. The flexural modulus of the polypropylene composites increased from 3157 to 4363 MPa as the SSC flour increased from 30 to 60 wt %. The maximum flexural strength 38.4 MPa was observed for 40 wt % SSC flour filled specimens. However, further increment in the SCC flour decreased the flexural strength to 31.4 MPa. The tensile strength of the specimens decreased from 22.5 to 14 MPa while the tensile modulus increased from 3023 to 3677 MPa as the SSC flour increased from 30 to 60 wt %. The dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the composites were significantly improved by the incorporation of the coupling agent (MAPP). The effect of the MAPP addition was more pronounced for the strength than for the modulus. The melting temperature and degree of crystallinity of the neat polypropylene decreased with increasing content of the SSC flour. The degree of crystallinity of filled composites considerably increased with the incorporation of the MAPP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Influence of organically modified nanoclay on the performance of pineapple leaf fiber‐reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites

Polypropylene/Pine apple leaf fiber (PP/PALF)‐reinforced nanocomposites were fabricated using melt blending technique in a twin‐screw extruder (Haake Rheocord 9000). Variation in mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, water absorption, and thermal stability with the addition of nanoclay in PP/PALF composites were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of PP increase with the increase in fiber loading from 10 to 30 wt %. Composites prepared using 30 wt % PALF and 5 wt % MA‐g‐PP exhibited optimum mechanical performance with an increase in tensile strength to 31%, flexural strength to 45% when compared with virgin PP. Addition of nanoclay results in a further increase in tensile and flexural strength of PP/PALF composites to 20 and 24.3%, which shows intercalated morphology. However, addition of nanoclay does not show any substantial increase in impact strength when compared with PP/PALF composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis tests revealed an increase in storage modulus (E′) and damping factor (tan δ), confirming a strong influence between the fiber/nanoclay and MA‐g‐PP. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis thermograms also showed improved thermal properties when compared with the virgin matrix. TEM micrographs also showed few layers of agglomerated clay galleries along with mixed nanomorphology in the nanocomposites. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction studies indicated an increase in d‐spacing from 22.4 Å in Cloisite 20A to 40.1 Å in PP/PALF nanocomposite because of improved intercalated morphology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

不同增韧剂对PLA/稻壳木塑复合材料力学性能影响

以PLA、稻壳粉为原材料,分别加入玻璃纤维、乙烯-辛烯共聚物(POE)、碳酸钙为增韧剂进行增韧改性,以模压成型的方法制备了PLA/稻壳木塑复合材料,结合力学性能、吸水性能、X射线衍射(XRD)分析和对材料表面的显微观察研究了不同种类及含量的增韧剂对木塑复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,在玻璃纤维含量为20%的时候,PLA/稻壳木塑复合材料的增韧效果较好,其洛氏硬度值达68,其拉伸强度达到6.16 MPa,弯曲强度达到15.41 MPa,冲击强度为144.40 kJ/m2,但吸水性能显著提高,约为不添加增韧剂时的1.5倍;在POE含量为20%的时候,PLA/稻壳木塑复合材料吸水性降低效果最为显著,60 h浸泡实验其吸水率比不添加POE小10%。XRD分析及显微分析表明,除CaCO3自身结构影响外,添加不同增韧剂均未使PLA/稻壳复合材料形成新的晶型结构,加入POE和CaCO3的增韧效果不明显,是因为两种物质颗粒孤立存在于基体中,未形成相互搭连的网格结构。     

Improved mechanical and thermal properties of bamboo–epoxy nanocomposites

Natural fiber‐reinforced hybrid composites based on bamboo/epoxy/nanoclay were prepared. Ultrasound sonication was used for the dispersion of nanoclay in the bamboo–epoxy composites. The morphology of bamboo–epoxy nanocomposites was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The results show that there exists an optimum limit in which the mechanical properties of composites improved by continuously increasing the nanoclay content. The tensile and flexural strength of bamboo–epoxy nanocomposites with 3 wt% nanoclay increased by 40% and 27%, respectively, as compared to pure composites. The highest value of impact strength was obtained for 1 wt% nanoclay content bamboo–epoxy nanocomposites. The enhanced impact strength of bamboo–epoxy nanocomposites was one of the key advantages brought by nanofiller. The results show that incorporation of nanoclay substantially increases the water resistance capability and thermal stability of bamboo–epoxy nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers