Effect of olive residue benzylation on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/olive residue composites

The changes in mechanical properties, the thermal stability, and the water absorption capacity of poly (vinyl chloride)/olive residue flour composites were studied as a function of various residue olive flour ratios, i.e., 0, 5, 15, and 25% by weight taking into account the effect of benzylation chemical treatment of the filler. The study showed that composite samples prepared with the untreated filler exhibited higher tensile modulus and hardness compared with the neat resin, whereas elongation and tensile strength were observed to decline. On the other hand, the PVC hardness was found to increase with addition of the untreated olive residue flour (ORF), however the composite samples prepared with the benzylated flour exhibited lower hardness than those prepared with untreated olive residue. Moreover, the amount of absorbed water depends on the amount of filler in the composite. The comparison of the results obtained from the samples of F5, F20, and F30 formulations between the untreated and treated ORF indicated a reduction in absorbed water for the composite samples containing treated ORF with benzyl chloride. As a result, the mechanical properties of the treated composites were improved. Furthermore, the thermal characterization of the different samples carried out by color change test and thermogravimetric analysis revealed an increase in the onset temperatures of decomposition for the treated composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

The Compatibilizing Effect of Maleic Anhydride on Swelling Properties of Plant-Fiber-Reinforced Polystyrene Composites

In this work the fibers of banana, hemp, and sisal are employed as fillers for the formation of wood polymer composites with polystyrene in the different ratios of 40:60 and 45:55 (wt/wt), respectively. These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride, and the effect of maleic anhydride was studied on absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature in wood polymer composites. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam in comparison to maleic anhydride (MA)–treated fiber composites. The absorption of water increases with the increase in time from 2–30 h in all untreated fiber composites. The maximum absorption of water was found in hemp fiber composites and the minimum in sisal fiber composites. The maleic anhydride esterified fiber composites showed less absorption of water than the untreated fiber composites. Steam absorption in MA treated and untreated fiber composites is higher than the water absorption in respective fiber composites. The wood polymer composites containing low amount of fiber shows less absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature than the composites containing a greater amount of fiber in respective fiber composites.     

剑麻纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料的制备及性能研究

制备了剑麻纤维增强聚丙烯（PP）复合材料,考察了纤维含量及马来酸酐接枝PP（MPP）增容剂对复合材料孔隙率及力学性能的影响,并采用修正的数学模型分别对复合材料的拉伸强度和拉伸弹性模量进行预测。结果表明,随着纤维含量的增加,复合材料的孔隙率先增大后减小,纤维质量分数为30％时孔隙率达到最大值。未添加MPP增容剂时,复合材料的拉伸及弯曲性能在纤维质量分数小于30％时变化幅度较小,40％时则有较大幅度提高;冲击强度随着纤维含量增加而提高。当添加MPP增容剂时,复合材料的力学性能随纤维含量的增加而提高。拉伸性能的预测结果与实测结果比较一致。     

Esterification Effect of Maleic Anhydride on Surface and Volume Resistivity of Natural Fiber/Polystyrene Composites

The natural fibers (banana, hemp and sisal) and polystyrene (PS) were taken for the preparation of natural fiber polymer composites in the different ratios of 40:60, 45:55, 50:50 and 55:45 (wt/wt), respectively. These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride (MA) and the effect of esterification of maleic anhydride was studied on surface resistivity and volume resistivity of natural fiber/polystyrene composites. It was found that the untreated fibers composites show more surface resistivity and volume resistivity in comparison to maleic anhydride treated fibers composites. An untreated hemp fibers composite shows maximum surface and volume resistivity while maleic anhydride treated sisal fibers composites show minimum surface and volume resistivity.     

Mechanical Properties of Benzoylated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Short Fiber Reinforced Poly(vinyl chloride) Composites

The influence of untreated and benzoylated oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) short fiber loading on the mechanical properties of the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composite was studied. Benzoylated OPEFB was produced by mixing OPEFB with NaOH solution and agitating vigorously with benzoyl chloride. The PVC resin, various additives, and OPEFB were first dry blended using a laboratory mixer before being milled into sheets on a two-roll mill at 165°C and then hot pressed into composite samples at 180°C. The tensile and impact strength of untreated and benzoylated OPEFB composites decreased whereas the tensile modulus increased with increasing fiber loading from 0 to 40 phr. However, the benzoylated OPEFB was able to improve the tensile properties and impact strength of composites when compared to the untreated fiber. The enhancement of mechanical properties showed that the treatment improved the OPEFB fiber-PVC matrix interfacial adhesion. The improvement of adhesion was clarified by SEM micrographs, the increase of water resistance, and the reduction of glass transition temperature of the composites.     

Mechanical,thermal, and water absorption properties of melamine–formaldehyde‐treated sisal fiber containing poly(lactic acid) composites

The present study focuses on the melamine–formaldehyde (MF) coating ratio and silanization of PLA/sisal composites. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt blended with short sisal fiber with and without MF resin coating. MF was applied at different weight ratios (sisal:MF = 1:1; 1:3, and 1:5) to coat the untreated or silanized sisal fibers which were incorporated up to 20 parts per hundred resin (phr) amount in PLA. PLA/sisal composites were produced by compression molding. It was found that the sisal:MF coating ratio at 1:1 by weight improved the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the composite with 10 phr sisal by 4% and 57%, respectively, compared to the virgin PLA. The initial and final decomposition (T_i) and (T_f) of PLA with untreated sisal were changed from 330.8 and 367.1 to 336.2 and 370.4 °C, respectively, after MF‐coating (sisal:MF weight ratio = 1:1). This enhancement in thermal stability was attributed to the strong interaction between the MF and sisal fiber. The water absorption of PLA/MF–sisal composites slightly decreased with increasing sisal:MF ratio. This is due to the fact that the MF‐coating substantially reduced the hydrophilic properties of sisal. Moreover, FTIR spectra and SEM images proved that sisal fibers were coated by MF resin successfully. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45681.     

聚丙烯/马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯/环氧树脂/玻璃纤维复合材料的制备及其性能研究

通过双螺杆挤出机制备了聚丙烯/马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯/环氧树脂/玻璃纤维（PP/PP-g-MAH/EP/GF）复合材料,并研究了PP-g-MAH含量、EP含量及固化剂对复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,PP-g-MAH含量为10份,含有固化剂EP的含量为3份时,复合材料的综合力学性能最佳;与不加EP的复合材料相比,其拉伸强度、弯曲强度、冲击强度分别提高了41 %、47 %、86 %。扫描电子显微镜分析表明,EP的加入明显改善了GF和PP基体的黏结强度。     

Effect of interface modification on the mechanical properties of polystyrene‐sisal fiber composites

The effect of interface modification on the mechanical (tensile, impact and flexural) properties of polystyrene–sisal fiber composites was investigated. The interface modification was performed by treatment of sisal fibers with benzoyl chloride, polystyrene maleic anhydride (PSMA), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), methyl triethoxy silane and triethoxy octyl silane. These interface modifications improve the compatibility of hydrophilic sisal fiber with a hydrophobic polystyrene matrix and change the tensile, impact and flexural properties of the composite, but to varying degrees depending on the fiber modification. The treated fibers were analyzed by spectroscopic techniques. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the fiber surface, fiber pullout, and fiber‐matrix interface.     

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     

管材用回收高密度聚乙烯/胶粉复合材料的研究

采用一步法活化增容制备了回收高密度聚乙(烯RHDPE/)胶粉管材专用料,并研究了引发剂过氧化二异丙苯强度从37.5 kJ/m2提高到48 kJ/m2;弯曲强度从10.5 MPa提高到12.9 MPa;弯曲模量从356 MPa提高到405(DCP)、接枝单体马来酸酐(MAH用)量对体系力学性能的影响。结果表明:当DCP、MAH用量分别为0.1份、1.0份时,RHDPE/胶粉体系获得最佳的力学性能,与简单共混物比较,拉伸强度从18.8 MPa提高到23.8 MPa;缺口冲击MPa。通过流变性能测试结果和扫描电(镜SEM)照片分析活,化增容对RHDPE/胶粉体系有效。     

Esterification effect of maleic anhydride on swelling properties of natural fiber/high density polyethylene composites

The natural fibers (banana, hemp, and sisal) and high density polyethylene were taken for the preparation of natural fiber/polymer composites in different ratios of 40 : 60 and 45 : 55 (w/w). These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride (MA) and the effect of esterification of MA was studied on swelling properties in terms of absorption of water, at ambient temperature, and steam. It was found that the steam penetrates more within lesserperiod of time than water at ambient temperature. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam and water in comparison to MA‐treated fiber composites. The more absorption of water was found in hemp fiber composites and less in sisal fiber composites. Steam absorption in MA‐treated and untreated fiber composites are higher than the water absorption in respective fiber composites. The natural fiber/polymer composites containing low amount of fibers show less absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature than the composites containing more amount of fibers in respective fiber composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Banana fiber reinforced low-density polyethylene composites: effect of chemical treatment and compatibilizer addition

In this study, an attempt has been made to utilize banana fiber (a natural fiber from agricultural waste) as reinforcement for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to develop environmental friendly composite materials. LDPE/banana fiber composites were fabricated at different fiber loadings (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt %) using compression molding technique. The composite with the composition of 25 wt % banana fiber was observed to be optimum on the basis of biodegradability and mechanical properties. Further, the effect of banana fiber surface treatment (alkali and acrylic acid) on the mechanical properties, morphology and water absorption behavior of the LDPE/banana fiber composites in the absence and presence of compatibilizer (maleic anhydride grafted LDPE, MA-g-LDPE) was comparatively studied. The alkali and acrylic acid treatment of the banana fibers led to enhanced mechanical properties and water resistance property of the composites, and these properties got further improved by the addition of the compatibilizer. The addition of compatibilizer to the acrylic acid treated banana fiber composites showed the most effective improvement in the flexural and impact strength and also, exhibited a reduction in the water absorption capacity. However, the tensile strength of the compatibilized composites with treated fibers resulted in slightly lower values than those with untreated fibers, because of the degradation of fibers by chemical attack as was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. SEM studies carried out on the tensile fractured surface of the specimens showed improved fiber-matrix interaction on the addition of compatibilizer.     

Mechanical properties and water absorption of low‐density polyethylene/sawdust composites

The mechanical properties and water absorption of low‐density polyethylene/sawdust composites were investigated. The relationship between the filler content and the composite properties was also studied. Different degrees of esterification of the sawdust with maleic anhydride were obtained with different reaction times. The experimental results demonstrated that the treatment of sawdust by maleic anhydride enhanced the tensile and flexural strengths. The water absorption for maleic anhydride treated sawdust indicated that it was more hydrophobic than untreated sawdust. The effects of the addition of benzoyl peroxide during the preparation of composite samples on the water absorption and mechanical properties were also evaluated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

高强高韧GF／PP复合材料的研究

通过在短玻(GF)增强聚丙烯(PP)中添加聚烯烃弹性体(POE),并用马来酸酐对PP进行接枝交联的方法, 制备了高冲击韧性GF／PP复合材料。在该材料中,短切玻璃纤维的加入大幅度提高了材料的拉伸、弯曲强度,而POE 则通过产生形变等方式,提高了材料的冲击韧性;在其中加入马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯增加界面结合力,可使GF／PP／POE 复合体系表现出良好的综合力学性能,其拉伸强度为51．9 MPa,弯曲强度为68．1MPa,冲击韧性为44．2 kJ／m2。     

A Comparative Study on the Mechanical Properties of Jute and Sisal Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

The aim of the present study is to investigate and compare the mechanical properties of raw jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites with sodium hydroxide treated jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites. This is followed by comparisons of the sodium hydroxide treated jute and sisal fiber reinforced composites. The jute and sisal fibers were treated with 20% sodium hydroxide for 2 h and then incorporated into the epoxy matrix by a molding technique to form the composites. Similar techniques have been adopted for the fabrication of raw jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The raw jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites and the sodium hydroxide treated jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites were characterized by FTIR. The mechanical properties (tensile and flexural strength), water absorption and morphological changes were investigated for the composite samples. It was found that the sodium hydroxide treated jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites exhibited better mechanical properties than the raw jute and raw sisal fiber reinforced composites. When comparing the sodium hydroxide treated jute and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites, the sodium hydroxide treated jute fiber reinforced composites exhibited better mechanical properties than the latter.     

Recycled polypropylene reinforced with curaua fibers by extrusion

Curaua fibers were studied as reinforcing agents for postconsumer polypropylene. The composites were processed by extrusion. The composite properties were investigated by mechanical tests, thermal methods, melt flow index, surface morphology, and water uptake. The variables studied were as follows: fiber contents (10 to 40 wt %), fiber surface treatment, initial fiber length, and modification of the polypropylene matrix. The treatment of the fiber with 5 wt % NaOH aqueous solution did not improve fiber‐matrix adhesion and the composites using 20 wt % of untreated curaua fibers presented the better mechanical properties. Feeding the extruder with fibers having shorter lengths (0.01–0.4 mm) produced better fiber dispersion, improving the mechanical properties of the composites. Composites prepared using fibers without surface treatment with postconsumer polypropylene and with polypropylene modified with maleic anhydride showed mechanical properties and water uptake similar to composites using the same polymer reinforced with other lignocellulosic fibers. The extrusion process caused also partial fibrillation of the fibers, improving their aspect ratio. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Isolation and characterization of betel nut leaf fiber: Its potential application in making composites

Betel nut leaf fiber (BNLF) is a new finding as cellulosic filler for polymer composites. Its main constituents are 75% α‐cellulose, 12% hemicelluloses, 10% lignin, and 3% others matter, viscosity average molecular weight 132,000 and degree of crystallinity 70%. In the present work, BNLF reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared using heat press molding method. 5–20 wt% short length fiber is taken for getting benefits of easy manufacturing and the fiber was chemically treated with NaOH, dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and maleic anhydride‐modified PP (MAPP) to promote the interfacial bond with PP. The extent of modification of fiber was assessed on the basis of morphology, bulk density, moisture absorption, thermal, and mechanical properties of untreated fiber, treated fiber, and their reinforcing PP composites. The tensile and flexural strength of composites increase with the increase of fiber loading up to 10 and 20 wt%, respectively. It was also observed that Young's modulus and flexural modulus increase with fiber loading. The thermal degradation behavior of resulting composites was investigated. Among the various treated fibers, MAPP‐treated fiber composite showed best interfacial interactions as well as mechanical and thermal properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structurally different short aramid fiber–reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane

The reinforcing effect of two structurally different Aramid short fibers, Technora and Twaron on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and thermal properties of an ester‐based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was investigated. A fixed fiber length of 6 mm is used by varying the fiber loading ranging from 3 to 10 phr. The Young's modulus and the low strain modulus of Technora–TPU composite was found three times higher than that of Twaron–TPU composite at all ranges of fiber loading. Optical microscopic analysis revealed that a severe processing‐induced fiber breakage of Twaron is the primary reason behind the inferior properties shown by these fiber‐reinforced TPU composite. A brittle kind of failure has been observed during tensile testing in both the composite at a fiber loading of 10 phr. To solve this problem, an economic pretreatment with maleic anhydride‐grafted polybutadine (PB‐g‐MA) has been applied on the Aramid fiber surface before mixing it with the TPU matrix. A good quality of fiber dispersion with significant improvement in mechanical properties could be achieved with the addition of only 5 phr of PB‐g‐MA. Morphological analyses on the tensile‐fractured and cryogenically fractured surfaces of these composites offer strong evidences for the dispersing and coupling action of PB‐g‐MA with these Aramid fibers and the TPU matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1767–1778, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The influence of chemical surface modification on the performance of sisal‐polyester biocomposites

This article concerns the effectiveness of various types and degrees of surface modification of sisal fibers involving dewaxing, alkali treatment, bleaching cyanoethylation and viny1 grafting in enhancing the mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural and impact strength, of sisal‐polyester biocomposites. The mechanical properties are optimum at a fiber loading of 30 wt%. Among all modifications, cyanoethylation and alkali treatment result in improved properties of the biocomposites. Cyanoethylated sisal‐polyester composite exhibited maximum tensile strength (84.29 MPa). The alkali treated sisal‐polyester composite exhibited best flexural (153.94 MPa) and impac strength (197.88 J/m), which are, respectively, 21.8% and 20.9% higher than the corresponding mechanical properties of the untreated sisal‐polyester composites. In the case of vinyl grafting, acrylonitrile (AN)‐grafted sisal‐polyester composites show better mechanical properties than methyl‐methacrylate (MMA)‐grafted sisal composites. Scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to analyze the fiber‐matrix interaction in various surface‐modified sisal‐polyester composites.     

Tensile and Impact Properties of Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Reinforced Short Glass Fiber and Empty Fruit Bunch Hybrid Composites

Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) hybrid composite with short glass fiber (GF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber were prepared via the melt blending method using an internal mixer type Thermo Haake 600p. The TPNR were prepared from natural rubber (NR), liquid natural rubber (LNR) and polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic, with a ratio of 20:10:70. The hybrid composites were prepared at various ratios of GF/EFB with 20% volume fraction. Premixture was performed before the material was discharged into the machine. The study also focused on the effect of fiber (glass and EFB) treatment using silane and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAgPP) as a coupling agent. In general, composite that contains 10% EFB/10% glass fiber gave an optimum tensile and impact strength for treated and untreated hybrid composites. Tensile properties increase with addition of a coupling agent because of the existence of adherence as shown in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph. Further addition of EFB exceeding 10% reduced the Young's modulus and impact strength. However, the hardness increases with the addition of EFB fiber for the untreated composite and decreases for the treated composite.