Chemical resistance,void contents,and morphological properties of Hildegardia fabric/polycarbonate‐toughened epoxy composites

A uniaxial natural fabric of Hildegardia populifolia was used as a reinforcement for a polycarbonate‐toughened epoxy. The Hildegardia fabric was treated with a 5% sodium hydroxide solution for 1 h. The fabric was spray‐coated with a 1% silane‐based coupling agent. The variation of the chemical resistance and void content with different fabric contents and fiber orientations was studied. The morphology of the fractured composites was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM micrographs indicate that the bonding between the Hildegardia fabric and the matrix was enhanced partially by the alkali treatment. The alkali treatment in the presence of the silane coupling agent gave rise to matrix skin formation on the surface of the fibers, which indicated good bonding between the reinforcement and the matrix. Hildegardia/polycarbonate‐toughened epoxy composites were found to have reasonable chemical and water resistance. The liquid absorption increased when the fabric was treated with an alkali, when the coupling agent was used, and in the presence of water and aqueous solutions. The void content of the composites decreased with increasing fabric content. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Green composites from wheat protein isolate and Hildegardia Populifolia natural fabric

Completely biodegradable composites were prepared using modified wheat protein isolate (WPI) as matrix and the uniaxial natural fabric Hildegardia Populifolia as reinforcement. The WPI was cross‐linked with glutaraldehyde in the presence of glycerol plasticizer. These polymer composites were subsequently subjected to evaluation for their mechanical, morphological (SEM), thermal (TGA/DMA) properties, and biodegradation behavior. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength of the composite increased with increase in fabric loading up to 10% and decreased therefore. Further, the alkali treatment of the fabric and use of a coupling agent enhanced the mechanical properties. The scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surface of the composites indicated facilitation of better bonding between the matrix and reinforcement by the coupling agent. In case of thermal behavior, results indicated that the presence of fabric affected the thermal stability of polymer matrix. Biodegradability of the composites was also been studied by soil burial method, and the composites were found to degrade up to 95% in 35 days. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of alkali treatment on the flexural properties of Hildegardia fabric composites

A uniaxial natural fabric of Hildegardia populifolia was treated with 5% sodium hydroxide solution for 1 h, and the resulting changes were analyzed by polarized and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The untreated and treated H. populifolia fabric was reinforced in epoxy and toughened with 10% polycarbonate. The variation of the flexural strength and flexural modulus with different fabric contents and fiber orienrations was studied. The effect of sodium hydroxide and a silane coupling agent on the flexural properties of the composite was also studied. It was observed that the flexural properties increased on alkali treatment and when the coupling agent was used. The morphology of the cryogenically fractured surfaces indicated good bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement when a coupling agent was used. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1297–1302, 2006     

Influence of fiber surface treatment on mechanical performance of Xanthoceras sorbifolia bunge husk fibers/PP composites

The PP Composites containing Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge husks fibers with different surface treatments were prepared. The mechanical properties such as tensile properties and impact properties of the composites were investigated. It is revealed that the composites with fibers treated by alkali and the following treatments of silane coupling agents KH570, titanate coupling agent JN‐9A, acetic anhydride, MAPP, or bleach, all performed higher in tensile properties than that with untreated fibers, while lower in impact properties. Meanwhile, all treated fibers performed better thermal stability than untreated fibers. The fibers treated by alkali followed by KH570 treatment were added into PP with different contents. It is found that as the fiber content increases, the elastic modulus and impact strength of the composites increase sharply at first followed by a decrease, while the tensile strength decrease initially and increase with a peak at 10%, then decrease continuously. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41217.     

表面处理对可生物降解黄麻/PLA复合材料结构和性能的影响

采用注塑成型法制备了生物降解黄麻短纤维增强PLA复合材料,通过力学性能测试及SEM,探讨了碱处理、碱和硅烷偶联剂KH550同时处理对复合材料结构和性能的影响。结果表明:两种处理方法均能够增加黄麻纤维的表面粗糙度,但碱和偶联剂KH550同时处理的效果要优于碱处理,且KH550改善了黄麻短纤维与PLA树脂之间的界面黏结性能提,高了黄麻/PLA复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度。     

生物可降解山麻杆韧皮纤维增强PBS复合材料的性能研究

以山麻杆韧皮纤维为增强体,其与PBS颗粒按质量比20∶80模压成型制备了4种板材,探讨了表面处理对纤维微观结构与物理性能的影响,分析比较了板材力学性能及生物降解性。结果表明, 采用物理化学相结合方法预处理后,表面依然存留一定量的果胶等物质;预处理纤维进一步碱处理后表面出现“S”形凹槽,预处理纤维进一步偶联剂处理后表面凹槽连续性好、深度深;碱处理、偶联剂处理后纤维拉伸强度分别提高5.08 %和降低3.58 %;相比纯PBS,偶联剂处理后纤维复合材料拉伸强度与弯曲强度各提高48.32 %和25.97 %,拉伸模量与弯曲模量各提高146.45 %和128.30 %;3种纤维复合材料生物可降解性变化趋势一致,但偶联剂处理后的材料失重率变化幅度最小。     

废旧聚甲醛/改性竹纤维复合材料的力学性能研究

采用碱(NaOH)、硅烷偶联剂(KH560)、异氰酸酯(IPDI)等不同处理方法对废旧聚甲醛/竹纤维（POM/BF）复合材料的界面进行调控,研究了竹纤维改性方法和竹纤维含量对复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明,NaOH+IPDI和NaOH+KH560能够实现对复合材料界面的调控,利用NaOH+2 %IPDI对BF进行处理后,POM/BF复合材料［BF为20 %（质量分数,下同）］的弯曲强度增加了13.38 %,拉伸强度为50.36 MPa;利用NaOH+5 %KH560对BF进行调控处理后,POM/BF复合材料的弯曲强度增加了12.61 %,拉伸强度为46.87 MPa;NaOH+2 %IPDI对BF的处理具有更好的效果,BF含量为20 %时复合材料的力学性能最佳。     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene/modified basalt fabric composites

Basalt fabric (BF) was first treated with silane coupling agent KH550, modified basalt fabric (MBF) was obtained. Then MBF were molded with polypropylene (PP) matrix, and polypropylene/modified basalt fabrics (PP/MBF) composites were obtained. The influence of concentration and treating time of KH550 on MBF were characterized by hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. The tensile strength and morphology of basalt fabric were tested by single filament strength tester and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of composites were measured with electronic universal testing machine and impact testing machine, and the thermal properties were tested by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results showed that the lipophilicity of MBF is improved significantly by KH550 while the tensile is nearly damaged. The mechanical properties of composites are larger than that of pure PP, among which the impact property was improved the most, showing 194.12% enhancement. The thermal stability and dynamic viscoelasticity were better than pure PP; furthermore, the concentration of KH550 virtually had no effect on the thermal stability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42504.     

The Effect of Ethylene Diamine Dilaurate and Silane Coupling Agent on Cure Characteristics,Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Silica-Filled Natural Rubber Composites

The influence of a new coupling agent, ethylene diamine dilaurate (EDD) and a commercial silane coupling agent, (Si-69) on the cure characteristics, mechanical and morphological properties of silica-filled natural rubber (NR) composites was studied. The results show that scorch time and cure time decreased with an increase in both coupling agents' content, but maximum and minimum torques exhibit the opposite trend. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tensile modulus, M100 and M300, increased with increasing both coupling agents' content but at a similar coupling agent content, silica-filled natural rubber composites with Si-69 exhibit better tensile strength (more than 2 phr) and tensile modulus than does EDD. Elongation at break (Eb) of silica-filled natural rubber increased with increasing EDD content but Si-69 exhibits the opposite trend. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of tensile fracture surfaces shows the better tensile strength of silica-filled natural rubber composites with Si-69 and EDD over control composites (without EDD or Si-69). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that silica-filled NR composites with EDD have higher thermal stability than Si-69. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) provided an evidence of interaction between EDD and Si-69 with silica in NR composites.     

聚己内酯/硫酸钙晶须复合材料的力学性能研究

将硫酸钙晶须(CSW)与聚己内酯(PCL)进行共混,研究了CSW用量对PCL力学性能的影响。用硅烷偶联剂对CSW进行表面处理,研究了偶联剂用量对PCL/CSW复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明:改性后的CSW在PCL基体中分散均匀,PCL/CSW复合材料的拉伸强度提高了25.3%,冲击强度提高了20.4%。     

Unidirectional hemp and flax EP‐ and PP‐composites: Influence of defined fiber treatments

In some technical areas, mainly in the automotive industry, glass fiber reinforced polymers are intended to be replaced by natural fiber reinforced polymer systems. Therefore, higher requirements will be imposed to the physical fiber properties, fiber‐matrix adhesion, and the quality assurance. To improve the properties of epoxy resins (EP) and polypropylene (PP) composites, flax and hemp fibers were modified by mercerization and MAH‐PP coupling agent was used for preparing the PP composites. The effects of different mercerization parameters such as concentration of alkali (NaOH), temperature, and duration time along with tensile stress applied to the fibers on the structure and properties of hemp fibers were studied and judged via the cellulose I–II lattice conversion. It was observed that the mechanical properties of the fibers can be controlled in a broad range by using appropriate mercerization parameters. Unidirectional EP composites were manufactured by the filament winding technique; at the PP matrix material, a combination with a film‐stacking technique was used. The influence of mercerization parameters on the properties of EP composites was studied with hemp yarn as an example. Different macromechanical effects are shown at hemp‐ and flax‐PP model composites with mercerized, MAH‐PP‐treated, or MAH‐PP‐treated mercerized yarns. The composites' properties were verified by tensile and flexural tests. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2150–2156, 2004     

An investigation on the mechanical and dynamic rheological properties of single and hybrid filler/polypropylene composites based on talc and calcium carbonate

Some results of experiments on the mechanical and rheological properties of mineral filled polypropylene were presented. Single filler and hybrid filler composites of talc and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were prepared in a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. The effect of filler type, filler content, and coupling agent on the mechanical and rheological properties of the polypropylene were studied. The coupling agent was maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA). It was found that the mechanical properties are affected by filler type, filler concentration, and the interaction between filler and matrix. The tensile strength of the composite is more affected by the talc while the impact strength is influenced mostly by CaCO₃ content. The elongation at break of PP/CaCO₃ composites was higher than that of PP/talc composites. The incorporation of coupling agent into PP/mineral filler composites increased the mechanical properties. Rheological properties indicated that the complex viscosity and storage modulus of talc filled samples were higher than those of calcium carbonate filled samples while the tan δ was lower. The rheological properties of hybrid‐filler filled sample were more affected by the talc than calcium carbonate. The PP‐g‐MA increased the complex viscosity and storage modulus of both single and hybrid composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of silane coupling agent and maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene on the morphology and viscoelastic properties of polypropylene–mica composites

In this study, morphology, and dynamic and mechanical properties of polypropylene–mica (PP–Mica) composites were investigated. To enhance the adhesion between PP and mica, maleic anhydride‐grafted PP (MAPP) and treated mica with silane coupling agent were used. MAPP (as a compatibilizer) and silane coupling agent (as a filler surface modifier) caused an interfacial bonding in the mica filled polypropylene composites. The effect of mica content, MAPP, and treated mica with silane coupling agent on the morphological properties were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed that with increasing MAPP or silane coupling agent, dispersion of filler and adhesion between PP and filler were improved. Mechanical data showed that with increasing MAPP and mica treated with silane coupling agent, tensile modulus and flextural strength of composites were enhanced. Dynamic rheological behavior of composites was also investigated within the domain of linear viscoelasticity. The rheological observations indicated that the complex viscosity, storage and loss moduli increased, and tan δ decreased with increasing mica content. POLYM. COMPOS. 27:491–496, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Composition,tensile properties,and dispersion of polypropylene composites reinforced with viscose fibers

The reinforcement mechanics of viscose‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were studied. The effect of the coupling agent, maleated polypropylene (MAPP), was of special interest. The fibers, coupling agent, and PP were extruded and injection‐molded. The composition, mechanical properties, fracture morphology, and dispersion of the composites were examined. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the fiber content in the tensile specimens varied slightly with the sample location; however, the differences in the values were within 1.0%. Scanning electron microscopy images of the fracture surfaces of the composites showed that the surfaces of the composites without MAPP were covered with fibers pulled out from the matrix. A lack of adhesion further appeared as a cracked matrix–fiber interface. A new scanning thermal microscopy method, microthermal analysis, was used to study the dispersion of the fibers in the composites. Local thermal analyses gave further information about the location of the fibers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2676–2684, 2004     

Physical properties and morphology of polycaprolactone/starch/pine‐leaf composites

Polycaprolactone (PCL)/starch and PCL/starch/pine‐leaf composites, which can be possibly applied as biodegradable food packaging materials with natural pine flavor, were prepared and characterized in this study. The effect of incorporating a silane coupling agent at different content levels on the physical properties and morphology of the composites was studied. To investigate the melting behavior of the composites, a differential scanning calorimetry was employed. A universal testing machine was used to investigate the tensile properties of the composites and the water absorption properties of the composites were also investigated. Scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the morphology of the composites. The physical properties and morphology of the PCL/starch and PCL/starch/pine‐leaf composites were largely affected by the composition, especially the content of the silane coupling agent. The silane coupling agent led to a much better interfacial compatibility between the PCL matrix and the fillers and resulted in better physical properties of the composites. The PCL/starch/pine‐leaf composite with the silane coupling agent showed a morphology, indicating a good interfacial adhesion between the PCL matrix and the fillers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 928–934, 2007     

Mechanical,thermal, and burning properties of viscose fabric composites: Influence of epoxy resin modification

The influence of epoxy resin modification by 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on various properties of warp knitted viscose fabric is reported in this study. Dynamic mechanical, impact resistance, flexural, thermal properties, and burning behavior of the epoxy/viscose fabric composites are studied with respect to varying content of silane coupling agent. The results obtained for APTES‐modified epoxy resin based composites reinforced with unmodified viscose fabric composites are compared to unmodified epoxy resin based composites reinforced with APTES‐modified viscose fabric. The dynamic mechanical behavior of the APTES‐modified resin based composites indicates improved interfacial adhesion. The composites prepared from modified epoxy resin exhibited a twofold increase in impact resistance. The improved adhesion between the fiber and modified resin was also visible from the scanning electron microscope analysis of the impact fracture surface. There was less influence of resin modification on the flexural properties of the composites. The 5% APTES modification induced early degradation of composites compared to all other composites. The burning rate of all the composites under study is rated to be satisfactory for use in automotive interior applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46673.     

改性椰壳粉／PVC复合材料结构和性能的研究

研究了偶联剂改性椰壳粉的种类及用量、椰壳粉的质量分数对椰壳粉／PVC复合材料性能的影响,并用扫描电镜（SEM）观察了拉伸断面。结果表明：硅烷偶联剂KH-550质量分数为2％时效果较好,拉伸强度提高了12．6％,冲击强度提高了30．6％;经过硅烷偶联剂KH-550改性,能增大椰壳粉填充质量分数,提高复合材料的维卡软化点温度,改善了椰壳粉纤维在PVC基体中分散性和相容性。     

Effect of filler loading and coconut oil coupling agent on properties of low‐density polyethylene and palm kernel shell eco‐composites

Palm kernel shell (PKS), a waste from the oil palm industry, has been utilized as filler in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) eco‐composites in the present work. The effect of PKS content and coconut oil coupling agent (COCA) on tensile properties, water absorption, and morphological and thermal properties of LDPE/PKS eco‐composites was investigated. The results show the increase of PKS content decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break, but increased the tensile modulus, crystallinity, and water absorption of eco‐composites. The presence of COCA as coupling agent improved the filler‐matrix adhesion yield to increase the tensile strength, tensile modulus, crystallinity, and reduced water absorption of eco‐composites. The better interfacial adhesion between PKS and LDPE with the addition of COCA was also evidenced by scanning electron microscopy studies. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:200–205, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of epoxidized soybean oil on mechanical properties of woven jute fabric reinforced aromatic and aliphatic epoxy resin composites

A systematic study was performed to describe the effect of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) on storage modulus, glass transition temperature (T _g) and mechanical properties in epoxy resin composites reinforced by jute fabric. In addition to aromatic diglycidylether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) resin, a glycerol (GER)‐and a pentaerythritol (PER)‐based aliphatic resin was applied as base resin, which can be also synthesized from renewable feedstock. Based on strip tensile test results, the usual alkali treatment of jute fabric was avoided. By increasing the ESO‐content in aliphatic composites the T _g increases, whereas in case of DGEBA, it decreases. The results indicate that although ESO has a significant softening effect, the jute fiber‐reinforced DGEBA composite can be replaced without significant compromise in mechanical properties by a potentially fully bio‐based composite consisting of 25 mass% ESO‐containing aliphatic PER‐reinforced by jute fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:884–892, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of Coupling Agent Concentration,Fiber Content,and Size on Mechanical Properties of Wood/HDPE Composites

In this study, the influence of coupling agent concentration (0 and 3 wt%), wood fiber content (50, 60, 70, and 80 wt%), and size (40–60, 80–100, and 160–180 mesh) on the mechanical properties of wood/high-density-polyethylene (HDPE) composites (WPCs) was investigated. WPC samples were prepared with poplar wood-flour, HDPE, and polyethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (MAPE) as coupling agent. It was found that the tensile properties and the flexural properties of the composites were improved by the addition of 3 wt% MAPE, and the improved interfacial adhesion was well confirmed by SEM micrographs. It was also observed that the best mechanical properties of wood/HDPE composites can be reached with larger particle size in the range studied, while too-small particle size was adverse for the mechanical properties of wood/HDPE composites. Moreover, the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and flexural strength of WPCs decreased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 80 wt%; the flexural modulus of WPCs increased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 70 wt% and then decreased as the fiber content reached 80 wt%. The variances in property performance are helpful for the end-user to choose an appropriate coupling agent (MAPE) concentration, wood fiber content, and particle size based on performance needs and cost considerations.