Dynamic mechanical properties of short sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

The dynamic mechanical properties of short sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites containing both untreated and treated fibres have been studied with reference to fibre loading, fibre length, chemical treatments, frequency and temperature. By the incorporation of short sisal fibre into polypropylene, the storage moduli (E′)and loss moduli (E″) have been found to be increasing whereas the mechanical loss factor (tan δ) decreasing. The storage modulus decreases with increase in temperature. The treated fibre composites show better properties compared to untreated system. The Arrhenius relationship has been used to calculate the activation energy for the glass transition. The use and limitations of various theoretical equations to predict the tan δ and storage modulus of the fibre reinforced plastic composites have been discussed. Cole–Cole analysis has been carried out to understand the phase behaviour of the composite samples. A master curve for the modulus of the blend is drawn by applying the time–temperature super position principle.     

Mercerization of sisal fibers: Effect of tension on mechanical properties of sisal fiber and fiber-reinforced composites

Sisal fibers were mercerized, under tension and no tension, to improve their tensile properties and interfacial adhesion with soy protein resin. Mercerization of fibers under tension is known to minimize fiber shrinkage and to lower the microfibrillar angle by aligning them along the fiber axis. Mercerization improved the fracture stress and Young’s modulus of the sisal fibers while their fracture strain and toughness decreased. Mercerized sisal fiber-reinforced composites with soy protein resin showed improvement in both fracture stress and stiffness by 12.2% and 36.2%, respectively, compared to the unmercerized fiber-reinforced composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs of the composite fracture surfaces showed shorter fibrils protruding in the mercerized fiber-reinforced composites resulting in better sisal fiber/soy adhesion. Changed fiber surface properties were also responsible for better adhesion.     

The effect of alkaline and silane treatments on mechanical properties and breakage of sisal fibers and poly(lactic acid)/sisal fiber composites

The main goals of this work were to study the effect of different chemical treatments on sisal fiber bundles tensile properties as well as on tensile properties of composites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix and sisal fibers. For this purpose, sisal fibers were treated with different chemical treatments. After treating sisal fibers the tensile strength values decreased respect to untreated fiber ones, especially when the combination of NaOH + silane treatment was used. Taking into account fiber tensile properties and fiber/PLA adhesion values, composites based on silane treated fibers would show the highest tensile strength value. However, composites based on alkali treated and NaOH + silane treated fibers showed the highest tensile strength values. Finally, experimental tensile strength values of composites were compared with those values obtained using micromechanical models.     

The effect of surface modifications on sisal fiber properties and sisal/poly (lactic acid) interface adhesion

The main aims of this work were to study the effect of surface modifications on sisal fiber properties as well as on fiber/poly (lactic acid) (PLA) interface adhesion. For this purpose, alkali, silane and combination of both treatments were applied to sisal fiber. The effects of treatments on fiber thermal stability, fiber wettability, morphology, tensile properties and on fiber/PLA interfacial shear strength (IFSS) were studied. After treatments IFSS values improved at least 120%, however, tensile strength of sisal fibers decreased. Alkali treatment removed some non-cellulosic components (hemicelluloses, lignin) as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The removal of non-cellulosic materials led to fibrillated and rough morphology as observed by optical microscopy (OM). FTIR spectrum of silane treated fibers showed a band related to silane amino group and contact angle measurements confirmed that fibers became more hydrophobic. All treatments used improved fiber/PLA adhesion.     

Investigating the mechanical properties of sisal/coconut palm hybrid fiber reinforced epoxy composite

In this study, a facile hybridization of sisal/coconut palm reinforced epoxy composite, is presented. The fabrication method involved the use of hand lay-up techniques. The results of the fabricated composites were investigated by using the universal testing machine, hardness testing machine, scanning electron microscope, and an impact testing machine. In order to obtain optimize results for the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of the fabricated samples, the fabrication procedures involved varying the volume fractions of sisal and coconut palm hybrid with different compositions. The maximum tensile, flexural, and impact strengths measured for the fabricated fiber/polymer composite, are: 45 MPa, 90 MPa, and 38.9 kJ/m². The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) of the composites showed that the composites with equal volume fractions of sisal and coconut palm fiber exhibited better performance and better mechanical properties. Furthermore, the improved mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength were obtained with fibers of longer length. By considering the excellent mechanical properties of the fabricated composite, it is envisaged that the composite be suitable for the manufacturing of helmet, automobile and train coach interiors.     

Assessment of mechanical properties of concrete incorporating carbonated recycled concrete aggregates

An accelerated carbonation technique was employed to strengthen the quality of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) in this study. The properties of the carbonated RCAs and their influence on the mechanical properties of new concrete were then evaluated. Two types of RCAs, an old type of RCAs sourced from demolished old buildings and a new type of RCAs derived from a designed concrete mixture, were used. The chosen RCAs were firstly carbonated for 24 h in a carbonation chamber with a 100% CO₂ concentration at a pressure level of 0.1 Bar and 5.0 Bar, respectively. The experimental results showed that the properties of RCAs were improved after the carbonation treatment. This resulted in performance enhancement of the new concrete prepared with the carbonated RCAs, especially an obvious increase of the mechanical strengths for the concrete prepared with the 100% carbonated new RCAs. Moreover, the replacement percentage of natural aggregates by the carbonated RCAs can be increased to 60% with an insignificant reduction in the mechanical properties of the new concrete.     

Investigation on mechanical properties of woven alovera/sisal/kenaf fibres and their hybrid composites

The go-green concept results in multipoint focus towards materials made from nature; easily decomposable and recyclable polymeric materials and their composites along with natural fibres ignited the manufacturing sectors to go for higher altitudes in engineering industries. This is due to the health hazard and environmental problems faced in manufacturing and disposal of synthetic fibres. This study was undertaken to analyse the suitability of new natural fibre as an alternative reinforcement for composite materials. In this paper, tensile, flexural and impact test is made for the woven alovera and kenaf (AK), sisal and kenaf (SK), alovera, sisal and kenaf fibre hybrid epoxy composites (ASK). The composite laminates are made through a hand-layup process. The surface analysis is studied through scanning electron microscopy. From the investigation the SK hybrid composite shows good tensile property, AK hybrid composite shows better flexural property and the best impact strength is observed for ASK hybrid composite. The natural fibres slowly replace the synthetic fibres from its environmental impact, marching towards a revolution in engineering materials.     

Thermal and mechanical behaviour of sisal/phenolic composites

This research proposes the development of polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibres to become stronger the damaged timber structures and proposes thermal and mechanical characterization of these composites. Fibres with larger structural applications are glass and carbon fibres but the use of natural fibres is an economical alternative and possesses many advantages such as biodegradability, low cost and is a renewable source. Woven sisal fabric was submitted to heat treatment before moulding and the influence of moisture content of fibres on the composites behaviour was observed. The paper presents mechanical characterization by tensile and flexural strength of woven sisal fabric composites, with and without thermal treatment (at 60 °C for 72 h) on the fabric, thermal characterization by TGA and the manufacturing process by compression moulding. Experimental results show to sisal/phenolic composites a tensile strength and a flexural strength value of 25.0 MPa and 11.0 MPa, respectively, independent to the use of sisal fibres with or without thermal treatment.     

Evaluation of mechanical properties of banana and sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composites: Influence of glass fiber hybridization

In this work, the effect of glass fiber hybridization with the randomly oriented natural fibers has been analyzed. The banana (B), sisal (S) fibers were chopped and woven E-glass (G) synthetic fibers were reinforced with epoxy matrix. Nine different kinds of laminates were prepared in the following stacking sequence of B, S, BS, G/B/G, G/S/G, G/BS/G, G/B/G/B/G, G/S/G/S/G and G/BS/G/BS/G. Mechanical properties like tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength were evaluated and compared. Interfacial analysis was also carried out with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to study the micro structural behavior of the tested specimen. It was observed that the addition of two and three layer of glass fiber can improve the tensile strength by a factor of 2.34 and 4.13 respectively. The flexural properties were enhanced on banana–sisal fiber with two layers of glass fibers rather than three layers and the laminate with sisal and three glass ply offers better impact strength.     

Mechanical properties of sisal fibre at elevated temperatures

Sisal fibres extracted from the leaves of Agava sisalana plants 3, 5, 7 and 9 years old were tested at different temperatures for tensile strength, elongation, toughness and modulus. The tensile strength, modulus and toughness values of sisal fibre decreased with increase in temperature. The effect of plant age on tensile strength, tensile modulus and toughness of sisal fibre became very much less at 100 °C as compared to 30 °C. Fractured fibres were observed by using a scanning electron microscope. The ends of fibres fractured at elevated temperature showed a failure similar to that of inorganic fibres. Elongation values at all temperatures increased with age. Elongated capillaries were observed in fibres fractured at 80 and 100 °C, due to the removal of moisture and volatiles originally present in the fibres. The fibrils are clearly observed in the form of hollow cylinders. Fractured surfaces are composed of brittle as well as ductile phases. The ductile portion increased with the increase of temperature.     

Optimization of mechanical properties of non-woven short sisal fibre-reinforced vinyl ester composite using factorial design and GA method

This work presents a systematic approach to evaluate and study the effect of process parameters on tensile, flexural and impact strength of untreated short sisal fibre-reinforced vinyl ester polymer-based composites and predicts the optimum properties of random natural fibre-reinforced composites. The natural fibre of sisal at lengths of 10, 30 and 50 mm and vinyl ester resin at loadings of 15, 30 and 45 (wt%) were prepared. The composite panel was then fabricated using hand lay method in cold process of size 180×160 mm². Samples were then cut from the panel and subjected to mechanical properties testing such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths. The average tensile strength ranges between 27·1 and 43·9 MPa. The flexural strength ranged between 26·9 and 49·5 MPa and the impact strength ranged between 16 and 93 J/m. The strength values were optimized using factorial design and genetic algorithm (GA) method. The predicted optimum process parameter values are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Selected mechanical properties of gold,silver, aluminium and germanium coatings

Selected mechanical properties such as tensile properties, internal friction, internal stress, adhesion and crack formation of metallic coatings were investigated in the as-deposited and annealed conditions. In addition, the density, elastic constants and thermal expansion coefficient of the metallic coatings were measured on self-supported coatings and they agree well with tabulated values. The experimental procedures are presented and those characteristics peculiar to coatings are discussed.     

Toward the link between structural and mechanical properties of fiber aggregates in paper materials

Journal of Materials Science - Mechanical properties of fiber-based materials, such as paper, are governed by the heterogeneous microstructure induced by the formation process. For example, in...     

Effect of flame retardants on flame retardant,mechanical, and thermal properties of sisal fiber/polypropylene composites

A flame retardant efficiency of flame retardants; ammonium polyphosphate (APP), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂), zinc borate (Zb), and combination of APP with Mg(OH)₂ and Zb in sisal fiber/polypropylene (PP) composites was investigated using a horizontal burning test and a vertical burning test. In addition, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the compatibility in the system; i.e. PP-fiber and PP-flame retardants. Thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the PP composites were also studied. Adding the flame retardants resulted in improved flame retardancy and thermal stability of the PP composites without deterioration of their mechanical properties. APP and combination of APP with Zb effectively enhanced flame retardancy of the PP composites. No synergistic effect was observed when APP was used in combination with Mg(OH)₂. SEM micrographs of PP composites revealed good distribution of flame retardants in PP matrix and good adhesion between sisal fiber and PP matrix.     

The mechanical properties of (SN)X single crystals

The compression stress-strain behaviour of single crystals of sulphur nitride, (SN)_x, a metallic polymer, was measured in the ambient environment. Measurements were made both parallel and perpendicular to the chain axis on crystals which were about 1 mm in size. The plastic stress-strain behaviour resembled that of a highly anisotropic metal. Deformation to large strains produced a fibrilated structure which graphically exhibits the polymeric nature of (SN)_x. Young's moduli parallel and perpendicular to the chain were 21 and 1.4 GPa respectively. An analysis of the possible slip systems in (SN)_x indicated that there is only one easy glide system, (1 0 0) [0 0 1].Supported by the National Science Foundation MRL Program under Grant No. DMR 76-80994.     

High-temperature mechanical properties of WC-Co hard metals (Review)

Experimental results are discussed of the laboratory investigations into high-temperature mechanical properties of WC-Co hard metals as functions of the microstructure parameters (cobalt content, average sizes of carbide grains and cobalt interlayers), binder composition (carbon and cubic carbide contents) and the thermal and force action found in the literature. The effect of high temperatures on deformation characteristics in bending, tension and compression has been analyzed. The problems of short-and long-time strengths (high-temperature strength) and thermomechanical fatigue are discussed. The revealed mechanisms of the high-temperature deformation are considered.     

剑麻纤维表面特性及其浸润行为

采用Weibull统计分布方法量化了剑麻纤维的横截面积, 并考虑液体在剑麻纤维中空结构中的芯吸质量, 发展了基于Wilhelmy吊片法原理测试剑麻纤维与液体动态接触角的表征方法。在此基础上, 分析了不同表面处理方法对剑麻纤维微观结构、 表面化学组成、 表面能及其色散、 极性特性的影响规律, 并测试了剑麻纤维与E51环氧树脂的浸润性。结果表明: NaOH、 阻燃剂处理使剑麻纤维表面极性官能团增加, 纤维的表面能极性分量增加显著; 硅烷处理增加了剑麻纤维表面的极性基团含量, 但使其极性分量减小, 表面能略有下降; 并且剑麻纤维与E51树脂的浸润性与其极性比匹配特性密切相关。     

Preparation and properties of sisal microfibril/gelatin biomass composites

In this work, the natural sisal fibers were fibrillated by enzyme hydrolysis or mechanical disintegration into microfibrils with a width of 5-10 μm and different aspect ratios. The sisal microfibrils or microfibril mats were added into the gelatin to prepare biomass composites, by solvent-casting or solution impregnation techniques, respectively. The morphology, mechanical properties, biodegradation property, and water adsorption behaviors of the composites were investigated. It was found that the tensile strength of the composites was dramatically increased with the addition of sisal microfibrils. The degradation ratio of the composites decreased continuously with increasing the sisal fibril content. The addition of sisal microfibrils decreased the water uptake at equilibrium and the water diffusion coefficient. Scanning electron microscopy characterization showed that the sisal microfibrils were very well embedded in the gelatin matrix, showing a good interfacial adhesion.     

挤压AM50(-Ca)镁合金的显微组织与力学性能研究

研究了挤压AM50(-Ca)镁合金的微观组织和力学性能.研究发现添加钙在AM50合金中生成新的Al2Ca相,并细化合金的晶粒尺寸.大于2wt.%的钙使铸态AMS0的晶粒尺寸从200 μm减小到40 μm,使挤压态AM50的晶粒尺寸从15 μm减小到7.5 μm.含钙量较少时,晶粒内仍含有少量的Mg17Al12相,Al2Ca相主要分布在晶界;含钙量多于2wt.%时,合金中的Mg17Al12完全消失,除晶界处的Al2Ca相外,在晶粒内部出现大量的针状Al2Ca相.加钙提高了AM50合金的低温抗拉强度,同时在所有试验温度下合金的屈服强度得到提升.