Characterization and biodegradability of polypropylene composites using agricultural residues and waste fish

The objective of this research was to study the potential of waste agricultural residues such as rice-husk fiber (RHF), bagasse fiber (BF), and waste fish (WF) as reinforcing and biodegradable agents for thermoplastic composites. Addition of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as coupling agent was performed to promote polymer/fiber interfacial adhesion. Several composites with various polypropylene (PP) as polymer matrix, RHF, BF, WF, and MAPP contents were fabricated by melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder and then by injection molding. The resulting composites were evaluated through mechanical properties in terms of tensile, flexural, elongation at break and Izod notched impact following ASTM procedures. Biodegradability of the composites was measured using soil burial test in order to study the rates of biodegradation of the composites. In general, the addition of RHF and BF promoted an increase in the mechanical properties, except impact strength, compared with the neat PP. According to the results, WF did not have reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties, while it could considerably improve the biodegradation of the composites. It was found that the composites with high content of WF had higher degradation rate. Except impact strength, all mechanical properties were found to enhance with increase in cellulosic fiber loading In addition, mechanical properties and biodegradability of the composites made up using RHF was superior to those of the composites fabricated with BF, due to its morphological (aspect ratio) characteristics.     

Biocomposites from Musa textilis and polypropylene: Evaluation of flexural properties and impact strength

Abaca (Musa textilis)-reinforced polypropylene composites have been prepared and their flexural mechanical properties studied. Due to their characteristic properties, M. textilis has a great economic importance and its fibers are used for specialty papers. Due to its high price and despite possessing very distinctive mechanical properties, to date abaca fibers had not been tested in fiber-reinforced composites. Analysis of materials prepared showed that, in spite of reduced interface adhesion, flexural properties of the PP composites increased linearly with fiber content up to 50 wt.%. Addition of a maleated polypropylene coupling agent still enhanced the stress transfer from the matrix to the reinforcement fiber. As a result, composites with improved flexural properties were obtained. The mechanical properties of matrix and reinforcing fiber were evaluated and used for modelling both the flexural strength and modulus of its composites. In addition, the impact strength of materials was evaluated. Comparison with mechanical properties of composites reinforced with fiberglass points out the potentiality of abaca-reinforced polypropylene composites as suitable substitutes in applications with low impact strength demands.     

Effects of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix hybrid composites

Short bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites (BFRP) and short bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites (BGRP) were fabricated using a compression molding method. Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the adhesion between the reinforcements and the matrix material. By incorporating up to 20% (by mass) glass fiber, the tensile and flexural modulus of BGRP were increased by 12.5 and 10%, respectively; and the tensile and flexural strength were increased by 7 and 25%, respectively, compared to those of BFRP. Sorption behavior and effects of environmental aging on tensile properties of both BFRP and BGRP systems were studied by immersing samples in water for up to 1200 h at 25°C. Compared to BFRP, a 4% drop in saturated moisture level is seen in BGRP. After aging in water for 1200 h, reduction in tensile strength and modulus for BGRP is nearly two times less than that of BFRP. Use of MAPP as coupling agent in the polypropylene matrix results in decreased saturated moisture absorption level and enhanced mechanical properties for both BFRP and BGRP systems. Thus it is shown that the durability of bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene can be enhanced by hybridization with small amount of glass fibers.     

玻璃纤维含量对竹粉/高密度聚乙烯复合材料性能的影响

为利用玻璃纤维提高木塑复合材料的综合性能,探讨玻璃纤维含量对竹粉/高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)复合材料性能的影响规律,首先,采用A-171硅烷偶联剂对竹粉表面进行了改性,并加入了一定量的玻璃纤维;然后,采用热压成型工艺制备了玻璃纤维-竹粉/HDPE复合材料;最后,考察了玻璃纤维含量对复合材料力学性能、热学性能及摩擦学性能的影响,并利用SEM观察材料的断面和磨损表面形貌。结果表明:当玻璃纤维含量为3wt%时,能显著提高竹粉/HDPE复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度,与未添加玻璃纤维的复合材料相比,添加玻璃纤维后复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度分别提高了19.41%和23.54%;在30~60℃温度范围内,复合材料长度-宽度方向上的线膨胀系数随着玻璃纤维含量的增加而明显减小,而同一复合材料的线膨胀系数随温度的升高而逐步增大;在氮气气氛下,随玻璃纤维含量的增加,竹粉/HDPE复合材料的摩擦系数先逐渐增大,而后基本保持不变,磨损率逐渐减小。所得结论显示玻璃纤维含量为3wt%~7wt%的木塑产品适用于建筑横梁(如凉亭或桥梁等),而玻璃纤维含量为7wt%~10wt%的木塑产品适用于高人流量场所(如公园或休闲绿道等)的地面铺装。      

Mechanical performance optimization through interface strength gradation in PP/glass fibre reinforced composites

A new design for thermoplastic composites based on the gradation of the interlaminar interface strength (IGIS) has been developed with the aim of coupling high impact resistance with high static properties. IGIS laminates have been prepared by properly alternating layers of woven fabric with layers of compatibilized or not compatibilized polymeric films. To prove the new concept, polypropylene (PP) and glass fibres woven fabrics have been used to prepare composites by using the film stacking technique. Maleated PP, able to compatibilize polypropylene with glass fibres, has been used to manage the interface strength layer by layer.The flexural and low-velocity impact characterizations have shown that the presence of the coupling agent in conventional composite structures (prepared with fully compatibilized polymeric layers) improves the static flexural properties through the strengthening of the matrix/fibre interface but considerably lowers the low velocity impact resistance of the composite, in terms of maximum load before fibre breakage and recovered energy after impact. The use of the IGIS design, that grade the interface strength through the laminate thickness, allows to prepare composites with both high flexural properties and high impact resistance, without affecting the balance and type of the reinforcement configuration.     

Interfacial and hydrophobic evaluation of glass fiber/CNT–epoxy nanocomposites using electro-micromechanical technique and wettability test

Interfacial evaluation of glass fiber reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT)–epoxy nanocomposites and the hydrophobicity of CNT–epoxy nanocomposites were investigated by micromechanical and wettability tests. The contact resistance of the CNT–epoxy nanocomposites was measured using a gradient specimen, containing electrical contacts with gradually-increasing spacing. The contact resistance of CNT–epoxy nanocomposites could be better valuated by mainly the two-point method. Due to the presence of hydrophobic domains on the heterogeneous surface, the static contact angle of CNT–epoxy nanocomposites was about 120°, which was somewhat lower than that for super-hydrophobicity (>150°). For surface treated glass fiber, tensile strength decreased dramatically, whereas tensile modulus exhibited little change despite the presence of flaws on the etched fiber surface. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the etched glass fiber and the CNT–epoxy nanocomposites increased due to enhanced surface energy and roughness. As thermodynamic work of energy, W_a increased, both the mechanical IFSS and the apparent modulus increased.     

Flexural and impact response of woven glass fiber fabric/polypropylene composites

Impact tests with a falling dart and flexural measurements were carried out on polypropylene based laminates reinforced with glass fibers fabrics. Research has shown that the strong fiber/matrix interface obtained through the use of a compatibilizer increased the mechanical performance of such composite systems. The improved adhesion between fibers and matrix weakly affects the flexural modulus but strongly influences the ultimate properties of the investigated woven fabric composites. In fact, bending tests have shown a clear improvement in the flexural strength for the compatibilized systems, in particular when a high viscosity/high crystallinity polypropylene was used. On the contrary, the low velocity impact tests indicated an opposite dependence on the interface strength, and higher energy absorption in not compatibilized composites was detected. This result has been explained in terms of failure mechanisms at the fiber/matrix interface, which are able to dissipate large amounts of energy through friction phenomena. Pull-out of fibers from the polypropylene matrices have been evidenced by the morphological analysis of fracture surfaces after failure and takes place before the fibers breakage, as confirmed by the evaluation of the ductility index.     

Optimum mixing ratio of epoxy for glass fiber reinforced composites with high thermal stability

The optimum condition of glass fiber/epoxy composites was investigated according to mixing ratio of two epoxy matrices. Novolac type epoxy and isocyanate modified epoxy were used as composites matrix. Based on chemical composition of mixing matrix, optimum mixing ratio of epoxy resins was obtained through FT-IR instrument. In order to investigate thermal stability and interface of epoxy resin, glass transition temperature was observed by DSC instrument, and static contact angle was measured by reflecting microscope. Change of IR peak and T_g was conformed according to different epoxy mixing ratios. After fabrication of glass fiber/epoxy composites, tensile, compression, and flexural properties were tested by UTM by room and high temperature. The composites exhibited best mechanical properties when epoxy mixing ratio was 1:1.     

Development and Characterization of the Midrib of Coconut Palm Leaf Reinforced Polyester Composite

In this paper, midrib of coconut palm leaves (MCL) was investigated for the purpose of development of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. A new natural fiber composite as MCL/polyester is developed by the hand lay-up method, and the material and mechanical properties of the fiber, matrix and composite materials were evaluated. The effect of fiber content on the tensile, flexural, impact, compressive strength and heat distortion temperature (HDT) was investigated. It was found that the MCL fiber had the maximum tensile strength, tensile modulus flexural strength, flexural modulus and Izod impact strength of 177.5MPa, 14.85GPa, 316.04MPa and 23.54GPa, 8.23KJ/m² respectively. Reinforcement of MCL enhanced the mechanical properties of pure polyester, including that of tensile strength (by 26%), tensile modulus (by 356%), flexural strength (by 41.81%), flexural modulus (by 169%) and Izod impact strength (by 23 times), but the compressive strength was adversely affected. HDT decreased due to fiber loading, but increased with weight fraction of fiber content. Moreover, the experimental results were compared with theoretical model (Rule of mixture) and other natural fiber /polyester composites.     

复合材料用玄武岩纤维耐酸碱性实验研究

考察了国产BF-CSH-01玄武岩纤维的耐酸碱性能, 对其在80℃ 2mol/L盐酸和氢氧化钠溶液中腐蚀不同周期后的质量变化、 单丝强度、 丝束拉伸性能及复合材料弯曲性能进行了实验研究, 并与前期研究的国产BF-CMD-01玄武岩纤维的耐酸碱性进行了对比。结果表明, BF-CSH-01玄武岩纤维耐酸性能优于其耐碱性能, 与BF-CMD-01纤维耐酸碱性相反。BF-CSH-01纤维酸碱腐蚀过程中的质量和强度下降规律存在较大差异: 在酸性介质中, 纤维强度及质量均缓慢降低, 而在碱性介质中, 纤维质量损失很少时强度即有大幅下降。 BF-CSH-01丝束拉伸强度和复合材料弯曲强度受酸碱腐蚀影响较大, 与单丝强度的变化规律一致, 而模量下降较小。      

Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic and Thermoset Composites Reinforced with 3D Biaxial Warp-knitted Fabrics

In this study, two types of thermoplastic matrices (low melting point polyethylene terephthalate (LPET) fiber and polypropylene (PP) fiber) and glass fiber/epoxy resin/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to fabricate the thermoplastic and thermoset composite materials with 3D biaxial warp-knitted fabrics. Thermoplastic and thermoset composites were fabricated using hot-press and resin transfer molding (RTM) methods. The fabricated samples were tested with tensile and three-point flexural tests. In thermoplastic composites, samples in the 90° direction and LPET matrix showed the best tensile and flexural properties with an improvement of 39 and 21% tensile modulus and strength, 16 and 8% flexural modulus and strength compared to the PP samples in the same direction. In thermoset composites, samples in the 90° direction and MWCNTs showed the best improvement of the flexural modulus and strength with 97 and 58% compared to the samples without MWCNTs. This improvement can most likely be attributed to an increase in interfacial adhesion due to the presence of the carbon nanotubes.     

GF对SPTW/PP电商包装复合材料力学性能的影响

目的研究玻璃纤维(GF)对聚丙烯(PP)/六钛酸钾晶须(SPTW)复合材料力学性能的影响。方法首先选用硅烷偶联剂KH550对六钛酸钾晶须进行改性,采用聚丙烯接枝马来酸酐(PP-g-MAH)作为相容剂,通过在PP/SPTW复合材料中引入不同质量分数的玻璃纤维(GF),利用熔融共混法制得一系列PP/SPTW/GF复合材料。采用SEM观察冲击断面结构和XRD观察复合材料晶型结构,并比较引入不同质量分数的GF后PP/SPTW复合材料力学性能的变化。结果当复合材料中GF质量分数为5%时,复合材料的弯曲强度、拉伸强度和冲击强度达到最佳,分别提升了18.38%,16.31%,20.24%;当复合材料中GF质量分数大于5%时,复材料的力学性能开始下降。结论在复合材料中引入GF后,能够明显改善复合材料的力学性能,且随着GF质量分数的逐渐增加,复合材料的力学性能整体呈现出先上升后下降的趋势。     

Hybridization effect on the mechanical properties of curaua/glass fiber composites

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of hybridizing glass and curaua fibers on the mechanical properties of their composites. These composites were produced by hot compression molding, with distinct overall fiber volume fraction, being either pure curaua fiber, pure glass fiber or hybrid. The mechanical characterization was performed by tensile, flexural, short beam, Iosipescu and also nondestructive testing. From the obtained results, it was observed that the tensile strength and modulus increased with glass fiber incorporation and for higher overall fiber volume fraction (%V_f). The short beam strength increased up to %V_f of 30 vol.%, evidencing a maximum in terms of overall fiber/matrix interface and composite quality. Hybridization has been successfully applied to vegetable/synthetic fiber reinforced polyester composites in a way that the various properties responded satisfactorily to the incorporation of a third component.     

聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯/锡氟磷酸盐玻璃复合材料原位成纤对聚丙烯的增强效果

采用低玻璃化转变温度的锡氟磷酸盐玻璃(Pglass)改性聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET),制备低黏度高模量的PET基复合材料(PET/Pglass);以PET/Pglass或PET为成纤相,聚丙烯为基体,利用实验室自主设计的多级拉伸挤出装置,制得原位成纤增强聚丙烯复合材料,并研究成纤相形态及其对复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,与PET相比,PET/Pglass在多级拉伸挤出过程中原位成纤更容易,纤维长径比更大,分散更均匀,从而进一步提高聚丙烯的拉伸强度和模量,而且能保持聚丙烯较高的断裂伸长率,表明具有低黏高模的PET/Pglass对聚丙烯的原位成纤增强效果更显著。     

Dimensional stability and mechanical behaviour of wood–plastic composites based on recycled and virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

This paper investigated the stability, mechanical properties, and the microstructure of wood–plastic composites, which were made using either recycled or virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with wood flour (Pinus radiata) as filler. The post-consumer HDPE was collected from plastics recycling plant and sawdust was obtained from a local sawmill. Composite panels were made from recycled HDPE through hot-press moulding exhibited excellent dimensional stability as compared to that made from virgin HDPE. The tensile and flexural properties of the composites based on recycled HDPE were equivalent to those based on virgin HDPE. Adding maleated polypropylene (MAPP) by 3–5 wt% in the composite formulation significantly improved both the stability and mechanical properties. Microstructure analysis of the fractured surfaces of MAPP modified composites confirmed improved interfacial bonding. Dimensional stability and strength properties of the composites can be improved by increasing the polymer content or by addition of coupling agent. This project has shown that the composites treated with coupling agents will be desirable as building materials due to their improved stability and strength properties.     

Uniaxial ratchetting of polymer and polymer matrix composites: Time-dependent experimental observations

The uniaxial time-dependent ratchetting of polyester resin and glass fiber reinforced polyester resin matrix composites was observed by the stress-controlled cyclic tension–compression with non-zero tensile mean stress and tension–tension tests at room temperature. After the ratchetting of the polyester resin had been observed by the cyclic tests with different loading conditions including some time-related factors, such as stress rate and peak stress hold, the ratchetting evolutions of the continuous and short glass fiber reinforced resin matrix composites were also investigated by the stress-controlled cyclic tests, respectively. It is concluded that: both the polyester resin and its composites present apparent ratchetting deformation, i.e., the ratchetting strain accumulates progressively in the tensile direction during the cyclic tension–compression with non-zero tensile mean stress and tension–tension tests; the ratchetting depends on the applied stress amplitude, mean stress, stress rate and peak stress hold, and the time-dependent ratchetting is obvious even for the continuous glass fiber reinforced resin matrix composites with high fiber volume fraction (such as 40% and 50%); the time-dependent ratchetting of the polyester resin and its composites mainly stems from the viscosity of the polyester resin, while the addition of glass fiber into the resin matrix improves the resistance of the composites to the ratchetting deformation and lowers the time-dependence of the ratchetting simultaneously.     

活性橡胶与蒙脱土复合增强不饱和聚酯/玻璃纤维复合材料的结构与性能

制备了丙烯酸酯封端聚氨酯(ATPU)和改性蒙脱土(OMMT)复合增强不饱和聚酯/玻璃纤维复合材料。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等研究了ATPU和OMMT的复合对不饱和聚酯/玻璃纤维复合材料的力学性能、热变形温度和结构的影响。结果表明,丙烯酸酯封端聚氨酯与改性蒙脱土的复合具有协同效应,可以大大提高不饱和聚酯/玻璃纤维复合材料的冲击强度和拉伸强度,并使复合材料的弯曲强度、巴氏硬度和热变形温度略有提高;丙烯酸酯封端聚氨酯与改性蒙脱土的复合还提高了聚合物基体与玻璃纤维的界面粘合强度。     

混杂工艺对椰壳-大麻/聚丙烯复合材料力学性能的影响

采用正交分析法,讨论混杂工艺和复合工艺对椰壳-大麻/聚丙烯（PP）复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,混杂处理后的椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料的力学性能均比相同复合工艺条件下的大麻/PP复合材料有较大程度的改善。椰壳纤维与大麻纤维质量比对混杂椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料力学性能影响最大,且混杂椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料的力学性能随椰壳纤维含量的增加而线性增大;混杂针刺毡中PP纤维质量分数对混杂椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料的抗弯强度影响较大,最初混杂椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料的抗弯强度随PP纤维质量分数的增加而减小,随后又随PP纤维质量分数的增加有一定程度的增大,而混杂椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料的抗拉强度则随PP纤维质量分数的增大而线性减小;混杂椰壳-大麻/PP复合材料的力学性能随复合层压温度的升高呈下降趋势。      

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.     

回收汽车用废旧塑料制备复合板材的力学性能

以汽车内饰用废弃塑料为主要原料,粉碎后通过添加新的接枝改性聚丙烯短切玻璃纤维制备出复合板材,研究了改性PP和短切玻纤对材料力学性能的影响.结果表明,改性PP的加入有利于改善材料的成形性能.添加新的改性聚丙烯后,复合材料的压缩强度和压缩模量增大,随着改性PP含量的提高,弯曲强度大幅提高而弯曲模量稍有降低;随着短切玻璃纤维含量的提高,材料的弯曲强度及弯曲模量均明显提高.