Study on interfacial properties of unidirectional flax/vinyl ester composites: Resin manipulation on vinyl ester system

Flax fibers are widely used as reinforcements in bio‐based polymer matrix composites. This study investigated the hydrophilic nature and surface purity of flax fiber that affects fiber/matrix adhesion in combination with hydrophobic structural polymers via matrix modification and the utilization of fiber treatment, specifically in a flax/vinyl ester (VE) composite. A new method to manipulate the vinyl ester system with acrylic resin (AR) was developed to produce flax reinforced. On the other hand, different types of chemical and physical treatments were applied on the flax fiber. FTIR was applied to evaluate the effects of surface treatments. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to analyze the unmodified and modified VE resin system. The surface of untreated and treated flax fibers and their composites were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Sodium ethoxide‐treated flax/VE with 1% (wt) AR caused the best mechanical performance among all the flax/VE composites evaluated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation of microwave radiation induced graft copolymers and their applications as reinforcing material in phenolic composites

Flax fiber was modified through grafting of binary vinyl monomers mixtures such as methyl methacrylate (MMA)/vinyl acetate (VA), MMA/acrylamide (AAm), and MMA/styrene (Sty) under the influence of microwave radiations. 24.64% grafting was found at 210 W microwave power under optimum reaction conditions. Graft copolymers obtained were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and TGA/DTA techniques. Graft copolymers were found to be moisture retardant with better tensile strength. Phenolic composites using graft copolymers vis‐à‐vis flax as reinforcing material were subjected for the evaluation of different mechanical properties such as wear resistance, tensile strength, compressive strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and stress at the limit of proportionality (SP). Composites reinforced with graft copolymers showed better mechanical properties in comparison to composites reinforced with flax. Phenolic composites reinforced with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) showed maximum wear resistance followed by reinforcement with flax, Flax‐g‐poly (MMA/AAm), and Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/VA). Composites reinforced with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) and flax fibers have been found to show 150 N tensile strength with extension of 3.94 and 2.17 mm, respectively. It has also been found that composites reinforced with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) showed maximum compressive strength (1,000 N) with compression of 3.71 mm in comparison to other graft copolymers and flax fibers reinforcement. Reinforcement of phenolic resin with Flax‐g‐poly(MMA/Sty) and flax fibers could improve the MOR and MOE. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Use of wet‐laid techniques to form flax‐polypropylene nonwovens as base substrates for eco‐friendly composites by using hot‐press molding

The wet‐laid process with flax (base) and polypropylene (binder) fibers has been used to obtain nonwovens for further processing by hot‐press molding. Mechanical characterization of nonwovens has revealed that slight anisotropy is obtained with the wet‐laid process as better tensile strength is obtained in the preferential deposition direction. The thermo‐bonding process provides good cohesion to nonwovens, which is critical for further handling/shaping by hot‐press molding. Flax:PP composites have been processed by stacking eight individual flax:PP nonwoven sheets and applying moderate temperature and pressure. As the amount of binder fiber is relatively low (<30 wt%) if compared with similar systems processed by extrusion and injection molding, it is possible to obtain eco‐friendly composites as the total content on natural fiber (flax) is higher than 70 wt%. Mechanical characterization of hot‐pressed flax:PP composites has revealed high dependency of tensile and flexural strength on the total amount of binder fiber as this component is responsible for flax fiber embedment which is a critical parameter to ensure good fiber–matrix interaction. Combination of wet‐laid techniques with hot‐press molding processes is interesting from both technical and environmental points of view as high natural fiber content composites with balanced properties can be obtained. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Needle-Punched hybrid nonwovens of flax and ppfibers—textile semiproducts for manufacturing of fiber composites

Flax-nonwoven reinforced polypropylene has become a competitor to textile glass fabric reinforced polypropylene because of its economic and ecological advantages. Suitable application forms are needle-punched 100% flax or hybrid fabrics of flax/polypropylene manufactured of rough and fine decorticated flax. The construction of the nonwoven influences the strength, handle, matrix compatibility, and flow of the fabric. In this way, composite properties may be tailored to each end-use. The main application fields are subassemblies exposed to a medium range of stress. The method of hybrid-nonwoven manufacturing represents a technological alternative to the existing film-stacking method. Produced with lower technology, the parameters of composites of hybrid-nonwovens are comparable to properties of composites manufactured by the film-stacking method. Adhesion characteristics may be improved by addition of compatibilizers. The compatibilizers may be added to the flax-fiber surface or may be inserted into the polypropylene. All these methods lead to comparable mechanical parameters for the fiber composites.     

Biobased composites prepared by compression molding with a novel thermoset resin from soybean oil and a natural‐fiber reinforcement

Biobased composites were manufactured with a compression‐molding technique. Novel thermoset resins from soybean oil were used as a matrix, and flax fibers were used as reinforcements. The air‐laid fibers were stacked randomly, the woven fabrics were stacked crosswise (0/90°), and impregnation was performed manually. The fiber/resin ratio was 60 : 40. The prepared biobased composites were characterized by impact and flexural testing. Scanning electron microscopy of knife‐cut cross sections of the specimens was also done to investigate the fiber–matrix interface. Thermogravimetric analysis of the composites was carried out to provide indications of thermal stability. Three resins from soybean oil [methacrylated soybean oil, methacrylic anhydride modified soybean oil (MMSO), and acetic anhydride modified soybean oil] were used as matrices. The impact strength of the composites with MMSO resin reinforced with air‐laid flax fibers was 24 kJ/m², whereas that of the MMSO resin reinforced with woven flax fabric was between 24 and 29 kJ/m². The flexural strength of the MMSO resin reinforced with air‐laid flax fibers was between 83 and 118 MPa, and the flexural modulus was between 4 and 6 GPa, whereas the flexural strength of the MMSO resin reinforced with woven fabric was between 90 and 110 MPa, and the flexural modulus was between 4.87 and 6.1 GPa. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

亚麻针织物增强聚丙烯基热塑性复合材料的制备

本文以天然亚麻纤维为增强纤维,聚丙烯为基体,编织形成不同纤维体积比、不同结构的亚麻/聚丙烯针织物预制件,并经过热压复合制备形成一定的亚麻/聚丙烯针织物增强热塑性绿色环保的民用纺织复合材料。通过对增强纤维及基体材料性能的分析,以及对预制件和复合材料板材结构参数和制备工艺的设计和分析,得到较优的产品结构和制备工艺,认为亚麻/聚丙烯针织结构预制件的编织工序简单且效率高,并可直接热压复合,降低了复合材料的制备成本。4层、6层预制件热压过程中施加的最大压力为10MPa时最优,8层预制件热压过程中施加的最大压力为15MPa时最优。     

Wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites: Evaluation of the physicomechanical and morphological properties

This article presents the results of a study of the processing and physicomechanical properties of environmentally friendly wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites that were produced with a microcompounding molding system. Wood‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites were also processed under similar conditions and were compared to wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites. The mechanical, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of these composites were studied. In terms of the mechanical properties, the wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites were comparable to conventional polypropylene‐based thermoplastic composites. The mechanical properties of the wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites were significantly higher than those of the virgin resin. The flexural modulus (8.9 GPa) of the wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composite (30 wt % fiber) was comparable to that of traditional (i.e., wood‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene) composites (3.4 GPa). The incorporation of the wood fibers into poly(lactic acid) resulted in a considerable increase in the storage modulus (stiffness) of the resin. The addition of the maleated polypropylene coupling agent improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Microstructure studies using scanning electron microscopy indicated significant interfacial bonding between the matrix and the wood fibers. The specific performance evidenced by the wood‐fiber‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites may hint at potential applications in, for example, the automotive and packaging industries. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4856–4869, 2006     

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     

Effects of hygrothermal ageing on mechanical properties of flax pulps and their polypropylene matrix composites

The aim of this work was to study the kinetics of water uptake and its influence on mechanical behavior of both flax pulps and their composites with a maleic anhydride polypropylene copolymer (MAPP) modified polypropylene (PP) matrix by immersion in distilled water at 30, 50, 70, and 100°C. Both the influence of two different MAPP compatibilizers and the optimum doses of each ones were analyzed. The kinetics of water uptake was studied from weight measurements at regular interval times. The diffusion coefficient was dependent on the immersion temperature and MAPP content. Tensile modulus and strength of single flax fiber decreased by water immersion. Both flexural strength and modulus of composites decreased as a result of the combined effect of thermal ageing and moisture absorption. MAPP coupling agent increases moisture resistance and mechanical properties for MAPP‐modified systems with respect to the unmodified ones. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3438–3445, 2006     

Flax fiber surface modifications: Effects on fiber physico mechanical and flax/polypropylene interface properties

This study arises on the opportunities of using flax fibers as reinforcement for polypropylene (PP) matrix composites. For this purpose, untreated flax fiber bundles obtained by a retting process have been used. For improving compatibility between flax fiber bundles and PP matrix, fiber surface treatments such as maleic anhydride, maleic anhydride polypropylene copolymer, and vinyltrimethoxy silane have been carried out. On the other hand, alkali treatment has also been carried out for fiber modification. The effect of surface modification on tensile properties of single fibers and also on fiber‐matrix interfacial shear strength (IFSS) has been analyzed. Finally, both optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy have been used for characterizing flax fiber microstructural features. The current study completes previous results to elucidate the influence of treatments on fiber surface and flax fiber‐PP interface. POLYM. COMPOS. 26:324–332, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Study on flax fiber toughened poly (lactic acid) composites

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a renewable and biodegradable polymer with high modulus, high strength but low toughness. Blending PLA with plant fiber has been believed an available strategy to improve the toughness of PLA. PLA/Flax composites were fabricated by extrusion and injection molding processes. The flax fiber surfaces were modified before blending to improve the compatibility, and the chemical structures of both untreated and treated fiber were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results of mechanical test showed that the impact strength and elongation at break of PLA/Flax composites were remarkably higher than PLA. The impact fractures of PLA/Flax composites were also observed by scanning electron microscope. The results showed uniform dispersion of fibers in PLA matrix and good compatibility between treated fibers and PLA matrix. Moreover, it can be observed that crazing propagation was hindered by fibers and transcrystalline developed along fibers by polarized optical microscope. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis was carried out to study the crystallinity of PLA and it was found that incorporation of fiber improved the crystallinity of PLA. The toughening mechanism of PLA/Flax composites was discussed according to the results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42573.     

Nonwoven polylactic acid and flax biocomposites

Flax fiber‐reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites were made using a new technique incorporating an air‐laying nonwoven process. Flax and PLA fibers were blended and converted to fiber webs in the air‐laying process. Composite prepregs were then made from the fiber webs. The prepregs were finally converted to composites by compression molding. The relationship between the main process variables and the properties of the biocomposite was investigated. It was found that with increasing flax content, the mechanical properties increased. The maximum tensile strength of 80.3 MPa, flexural strength of 138.5 MPa, tensile modulus of 9.9 GPa and flexural modulus of 7.9 GPa were achieved. As the molding temperature and molding time increased, the mechanical properties decreased. The thermal and morphological properties of the biocomposites were also studied. The appropriate processing parameters for the biocomposites were established for different fiber contents. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1611–1619, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

亚麻增强热塑性树脂复合材料板材的研究与应用

以亚麻纤维为增强体,与聚丙烯(PP)纤维按一定比例进行混合,然后制备加捻纱及PP长丝包覆的包覆纱,并利用机织工艺织成二维机织布作为复合材料的预制铺层.采用层合热压方法制备PP/亚麻纤维复合材料板材.通过对板材弯曲性能的测试及分析,研究了制备工艺、纱线结构及亚麻纤维含量等因素对复合材料弯曲性能的影响.     

制备工艺对亚麻增强热塑性复合材料拉伸力学性能的影响

将增强体亚麻纱线和基体丙纶复丝制成pp/亚麻包覆纱后,进行织造,织物用层合热压法制成复合材料.制备工艺中,包覆纱法对复合材料的拉伸强度最好;麻含量50%的复合材料的拉伸强度达到最佳;当纬纱密度相同时,随着经纱密度的增大经向的拉伸强力和拉伸弹性模量也随之增大,而纬向的却随之减小,当经纱密度相同时,随着纬纱密度的增大,经向的拉伸强力和拉伸弹性模量随之减小,纬向的随之增大.     

Effect of macromolecular coupling agent on the property of PP/GF composites

Silane‐grafted polypropylene manufactured by a reactive grafting process was used as the coupling agent in polypropylene/glass‐fiber composites to improve the interaction of the interfacial regions. Polypropylene reinforced with 30% by weight of short glass fibers was injection‐molded and the mechanical behaviors were investigated. The results indicate that the mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Izod impact strength) of the composite increased remarkably as compared with the noncoupled glass fiber/polypropylene. SEM of the fracture surfaces of the coupled composites shows a good adhesion at the fiber/matrix interface: The fibers are coated with matrix polymer, and a matrix transition region exists near the fibers. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1537–1542, 1999     

亚麻非织造布的缝合加固及其复合材料成型性研究

亚麻纤维通过针刺工艺加工成非织造布,再经缝合加固后,作为复合材料的增强体,与不饱和聚酯树脂复合,制成亚麻/不饱和聚酯复合材料板材及异型件。利用真空辅助树脂传递模塑法制备出的板材,亚麻纤维和树脂结合较为均匀、充分。模压法形成的亚麻非织造布异型件成型良好,无褶皱与破洞。对板材及异型件拉伸、弯曲及压缩等性能的测试结果表明,板材拉伸强度最大值达58.59MPa,弯曲强度最大值为120.26MPa;采用平行缝合工艺的异型件最大破坏载荷为8.99kN。     

The effects of long‐term exposure of flax fiber reinforced polymer to salt solution at high temperature on tensile properties

Most research on natural fiber composites has been primarily conducted on randomly‐oriented fibers. This study is focused on the short‐ and long‐term performances of flax fiber‐reinforced polymer (Flax‐FRP) made from continuous unidirectional fiber mats, and compares it to Glass‐FRP composite. The study looked into the effect of number of layers on properties, comparing wet layup (WL) to vacuum bag (VB) molding, and aging in a 3.5% salt solution for up to 365 days at 23, 40, and 55°C. Results show that Flax‐FRP has a tensile strength and modulus of one third the values of Glass‐FRP. Using the VB process, Flax‐FRP showed a strength and modulus 18 and 36% higher, respectively, than WL specimens. As the number of layers increased from one to five, the strength and modulus also increased but stabilized at three layers. After 365 days of conditioning at 23, 40, and 55°C, WL specimens showed a strength retention of 81, 73, and 69%, respectively. Using the Arrhenius relationship, it was estimated that both WL and VB Flax‐FRP would retain 60% of their tensile strength after 100 years of saltwater exposure at an annual mean temperature of 10°C. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3234–3244, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

非织造工艺对天然纤维增强体树脂流动性能的影响

纤维增强体的树脂流动性能是影响树脂传递模塑工艺设计及其复合材料质量的一个重要因素。本文利用单向法测试真空辅助传递模塑工艺中非织造工艺对亚麻纤维增强体对树脂流动性能的影响。结果表明,相同压力条件下,由平行铺网工艺制作的纤维增强体比交叉铺网工艺增强体树脂渗透率低,流动各项异性大;随着层数的增加及压力的增大,两种铺网工艺增强体的树脂渗透率降低,压力的变化对流动各向异性影响不大。     

Thermoset lactic acid‐based resin as a matrix for flax fibers

Thermoset composites were produced from flax fibers and a novel lactic acid (LA)‐based thermoset resin. This resin is based on methacrylated, star‐shaped oligomers of LA. The main purpose of this work was to evaluate whether this resin can be used to produce structural composites from flax fibers. Composites were prepared by spray impregnation followed by compression molding at elevated temperature. The tests showed that composites can be produced with as much as 70 wt% fiber. The composites were evaluated by tensile testing, flexural testing, charpy impact test, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and low‐vacuum scanning electron microscopy. The ageing properties in high humid conditions were evaluated, the Young's modulus ranged from 3 GPa to 9 GPa in the best case. This work shows that structural composites can be produced from renewable material. It is clear from the results that these composites have properties that make them suitable for furniture, panels, or automotive parts. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Influence of processing conditions and material compositions on the performance of formaldehyde‐free wood‐based composites

This study examined the differences between formaldehyde‐free wood composite panels made with maleated polyethylene (MAPE) and maleated polypropylene (MAPP) binding agents. Specifically, the study investigated the contrasts of (a) base resin type, PE vs. PP, (b) molecular weight/maleic anhydride content in MAPP binding agents, and (c) the manufacturing methods (reactive extrusion vs. hot press) on the physicomechanical properties of the composites. FTIR and XPS analyses of unmodified and modified wood particles after reactive extrusion with maleated polyolefins provided evidence of chemical bonding between the hydroxyl groups of wood particles and maleated polyolefins. Although extruding the particles before panel pressing gave better internal bond (IB) strength, superior bending properties were obtained through compression molding alone. MAPP‐based panels outperformed MAPE‐based panels in stiffness. Conversely, MAPE increased the IB strength of the panels compared with MAPP. Polymer base resin had no effect on modulus of rupture or screw holding capacity. Differences between the two maleated polypropylene compounds were not significant for any of the mechanical properties tested. Formaldehyde‐free wood composites manufactured in this study often outperformed standard requirements for conventional particleboard, regardless of material composition or manufacturing method used. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:599–607, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers