Short sisal fiber‐reinforced tire rubber composites: Dynamic and mechanical properties

The world tendency toward using recycled materials demands new products from vegetable resources and waste polymers. In this work, composites made from powdered tire rubber (average particle size: 320 μm) and sisal fiber were prepared by hot‐press molding and investigated by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and tensile properties. The effects of fiber length and content, chemical treatments, and temperature on dynamic mechanical and tensile properties of such composites were studied. The results showed that mercerization/acetylation treatment of the fibers improves composite performance. Under the conditions investigated the optimum fiber length obtained for the tire rubber matrix was 10 mm. Storage and loss moduli both increased with increasing fiber content. The results of this study are encouraging, demonstrating that the use of tire rubber and sisal fiber in composites offers promising potential for nonstructural applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 670–677, 2004     

Short polyethylene terephthalate fiber (PET) reinforced NBR rubber composites

Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) has been reinforced with different content of PET up to 25 phr. Vulcanization of prepared composites as will as the unreinforced ones have been induced by ionizing radiation of accelerated electron beam of varying dose up to 150 kGy. Evaluations of the vulcanized composites have been followed up through the measurement of mechanical, physical and thermal properties. Also, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed. Mechanical properties, namely tensile strength (TS) and hardness were found to increase with the increase of irradiation dose as well as the increase in the content of PET up to 25 phr. Also, elongation at break (ε _b) was found to decrease with the increase of irradiation dose; however, the decrease in ε_b is not consistence with the increase in fibers loading. Young’s modulus (E) and tensile modulus at 25% elongation (E25) were found to increase with the increase of irradiation dose and fiber loading up to 20 phr. Also, the volume fraction of swollen rubber increases as irradiation dose and/or fiber content increased; it was more influenced by irradiation rather than fiber loading. Anisotropic swelling increased with irradiation and fiber loading up to 20 phr. SEM photomicrograph showed that irradiation causes adhesion between PET fiber and NBR where less pulling out and less pitting on the surface were observed. The thermal properties of the composite irradiated at 100 kGy reveal that the activation energy (E _a) increases up to 10 phr fiber content. When the composite that contains 10 phr fiber irradiated at doses higher than100 kGy, Ea decreased.     

Tensile properties of short sisal fiber reinforced polystyrene composites

The tensile properties of polystyrene reinforced with short sisal fiber and benzoylated sisal fiber were studied. The influence of fiber length, fiber content, fiber orientation, and ben-zoylation of the fiber on the tensile properties of the composite were evaluated. The ben-zoylation of the fiber improves the adhesion of the fiber to the polystyrene matrix. the benzoylated fiber was analyzed by IR spectroscopy. Experimental results indicate a better compatibility between benzoylated fiber and polystyrene. the benzoylation of the sisal fiber was found to enhance the tensile properties of the resulting composite. The tensile properties of unidirectionally aligned composites show a gradual increase with fiber content and a leveling off beyond 20% fiber loading. The properties were found to be almost independent of fiber length although the ultimate tensile strength shows marginal improvement at 10 mm fiber length. The thermal properties of the composites were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the fiber surface, fiber pullout, and fiber–matrix interface. Theoretical models have been used to fit the experimental mechanical data. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

纳米短纤维增强橡胶复合材料的研究进展

介绍了常用的纳米短纤维及其橡胶复合材料,概述了纳米短纤维在橡胶基体中的分散方法、表面改性与取向以及复合材料的力学性能和功能特性等方面的研究进展,指明了纳米短纤维增强橡胶复合材料的发展方向和应用前景。     

Short melamine fiber filled nitrile rubber composites

This article reports the development of a new composite based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and melamine fiber. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to study the effect of a dry bonding system in improving the adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. Mechanical properties of the composites are improved in the presence of the dry bonding system comprising of resorcinol, hexamethylene tetramine (hexamine), and hydrated silica. SEM and atomic force microscopic (AFM) images show that there are distinct changes in the fiber‐matrix interphase with the incorporation of the dry bonding system. A strong attachment of the fiber to the matrix is found in the SEM photomicrographs of the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites containing the dry bonding system. AFM section analysis and surface plot show that the improvement in tensile strength and modulus in the presence of the dry bonding system is due to the formation of a well‐defined interphase between the fiber and the matrix. The width of the interphase between the fiber and the matrix is increased in the presence of the dry bonding system, which is reflected in the mechanical properties and aging characteristics. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 544–558, 2003     

短碳纤维增强铝基复合材料

通过化学镀再电镀的方法,在碳纤维表面镀上Cu镀层,制备C/Cu复合丝,并在硼酸的保护下,利用非真空条件下的液态机械搅拌法制备短碳纤维增强铝基复合材料,研究了碳纤维在复合材料中的分散程度,铜镀层存在状态及C/Al复合材料的拉伸性能.实验结果表明：在硼酸存在下,大大降低了铜的氧化程度,碳纤维分散均匀且没有损伤,少量硼酸的加入,对复合材料的力学性能没有影响,该复合材料的抗拉强度随碳纤维含量的增加而增加,其抗拉强度较基体材料提高50%以上,但塑性指标却明显下降.     

Short fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composites

Mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE) reinforced with short fibers were studied. Two types of fibers were used as the discontinuous phase: an aromatic polyamide (Twaron, diameter: 12 μm) and carbon fiber (FCI 140/90-R33—diameter: 8–10 μm). Because of processing limitations, the maximum length of both fibers, after incorporation in the composites, was reduced to 3 mm. The TPE (continuous phase) was a polyol-polyester type [Elastollan—glass transition of short fiber segments: −42°C (1)]. Both types of composites had fiber concentration of 10, 20, and 30 phr. Component interaction is discussed, as well as the application of a third power polynomial to establish a relationship between the amount of fiber added and stress at break data. Stress-strength, tear resistance, shore A and B hardness, abrasion resistance, and compression set tests were performed. Composites reinforced with aromatic polyamides showed higher values in most of the tests, except in the abrasion resistance test, in which a smaller material loss was observed.     

碳纤维增强硅橡胶复合材料制备

由于硅橡胶具有较好的耐热性但力学性能比较差,本文用高性能的碳纤维作增强剂,硅橡胶（MVQ）作基相及偶联剂作为相容剂制备了碳纤维/硅橡胶复合材料。通过力学性能和热老化测试,确定碳纤维的用量。用偶联剂作相容剂研究了偶联剂对硅橡胶和碳纤维相容性影响;通过傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR)和扫描电镜(SEM)分析了碳纤维和硅橡胶交联结构和相容性。结果显示,制备了碳纤维/硅橡胶复合材料的最佳配方为硅橡胶 100份,碳纤维 12份,KH-550 2.5份。碳纤维增强硅橡胶的最佳硫化条件为：温度 175℃,压力为10MPa,时间为30min。由扫描电镜和红外光谱分析,进一步论证了用KH-550处理的比没有处理及用Si69处理的碳纤维与硅橡胶的混合相容性好。     

Tear and processing behaviour of short sisal fibre reinforced styrene butadiene rubber composites

The tear failure and processing characteristics of short sisal fibre reinforced styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites were investigated. Tear strength was examined with special reference to the effects of fibre length, fibre orientation, fibre concentration and bonding agent. It was observed that the tear strength depends on all the above factors. The tear failure mechanism was analysed from fractographs taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). During tear testing, the composites failed by a shearing process. Microscopic examination of cracks propagating in SBR composites revealed that the amorphous SBR matrix developed cracks, leaving ligaments of rubber attached to the broken fibres. The rubber particles were stretched as the crack opened and failure occurred at large critical extensions. It was observed that an increase in the concentration of fibres increased the tear strength in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The tear strength values were almost three to four times higher than those of the unfilled vulcanizates under similar conditions. In order to analyse the processing behaviour, the green strength, mill shrinkage and Mooney viscosity of the compounds were determined. Finally, the polymer–filler interaction was studied using the Lorenz–Park and Kraus equations.     

Interfacial,dynamic mechanical,and thermal fiber reinforced behavior of MAPE treated sisal fiber reinforced HDPE composites

The present article summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical behavior of sisal fiber reinforced HDPE composites. Variations in mechanical strength, storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″), and damping parameter (tan δ) with the addition of fibers and coupling agents were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths increased with the increase in fiber loading up to 30%, above which there was a significant deterioration in the mechanical strength. Further, the composites treated with MAPE showed improved properties in comparison with the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data also showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites The tan δ spectra presented a strong influence of fiber content and coupling agent on the α and γ relaxation process of HDPE. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from TGA/DTG thermograms. The fiber–matrix morphology in the treated composites was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens. FTIR spectra of the treated and untreated composites were also studied, to ascertain the existence of type of interfacial bonds. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3306–3315, 2006     

All‐Plant fiber composites. I: Unidirectional sisal fiber reinforced benzylated wood

Benzylation of sawdust from China fir was carried out to prepare plastics based on natural resources. It was found that thermoplasticity and mechanical properties of the chemically modified wood flour changed with the substitution reaction conditions. By compounding sisal fibers and the plasticized fir sawdust, unidirectional laminates were manufactured in a method similar to conventional thermoplastic composites. Such an all‐plant fiber composite material is characterized by easy processing, environmental friendliness, and low cost. Instead of chemical heterogeneity of conventional composites, physical heterogeneity of the current natural fiber composite should be favorable for interfacial interaction. However, the reinforcing sisal fibers were not well impregnated by the matrix because of the relatively high viscosity of the benzylated fir sawdust. Further efforts should be made in this area on the basis of the current preliminary work in order to improve mechanical properties of the composites.     

碳纤维增强氯丁橡胶复合材料的制备及性能

用碳纤维（CF）作增强相、氯丁橡胶（CR）作基相及硅烷偶联剂作相容剂,制备了CF/CR复合材料,考察了CF用量、硅烷偶联剂的种类及用量、硫化条件对复合材料热老化前后性能的影响,并用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）仪对其结构进行了表征。结果表明,制备CF/CR复合材料的最佳配方为:CR 100份,CF 12份,KH 550 2.5份;最佳硫化条件为:温度175℃,压力10 MPa,时间30 min。SEM和FTIR分析表明,KH 550处理的CF比未处理及用Si 69处理的CF与CR的相容性更好。     

天然短纤维增强橡胶复合材料的研究进展

介绍了短纤维的预处理方法,总结了短纤维在橡胶中的混合、分散及取向状态,综述了短纤维-橡胶复合材料在轮胎、胶带和胶管中的应用进展,并提出了复合材料的研究方向.     

New composites based on short melamine fiber reinforced epdm rubber

Melamine fibre is a new category of advanced synthetic fiber having superior heat and flame resistance with decomposition temperature above 350°C. It suitability as a reinforcing fiber for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, abbreviated as EPDM rubber, where ‘M’ stands for polymethylene chain, was investigated. It has been observed that tensile strength and stress at 100% strain of EPDM‐melamine fiber composites increase with the addition of a three‐component dry bonding system, comprising hexamethylene tetramine (hexa), resorcinol, and hydrate silica, abbreviated HRH system. Moreover, the fiber‐filled composites anisotropy in stress‐strain properties due to preferential of the short fibers along the milling direction (longitudinal), which is substantiated by the results of swelling and fractography studies. Aging causes an increase in the modulus, tensile strength and hardness of the composites. The fractographs show an increase in interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the matrix during aging, which is further confirmed by the reduction in tan δ peak height of the aged composites during dynamic mechanical studies. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies reveal the formation of an interphase with the addition of bonding agents and a better fiber‐matrix adhesion due to aging. AFM images also confirm the role of dry bonding systems in improving the fiber‐matrix adhesion of the aged vulcanizates. The composite modulus has been theoretically calculated using the well‐known Halpin‐Tsai equation. It is found that in the transverse direction, observed modulus values are greater than the calculated values, while in the longitudinal direction, the experimental modulus values are found to be lower than the calculated values for both unaged and aged composites owing to some degree of anisotropy in fiber orientation.     

SiC fiber reinforced geopolymer composites,part 1: Short SiC fiber

In this paper, short SiC fiber (SiC_sf) reinforced geopolymer composites (SiC_sf/geopolymer) were prepared and effects of fiber contents and lengths on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. In-situ crack growth was carried out to study the fracture behavior and toughening mechanism of the composites. The results showed that SiC_sf/geopolymer composite developed weak interfacial bonding state through mechanical interlocking rather than chemical interfacial reaction. The presence of SiC_sf not only enhanced both flexural strength and work of fracture, but also prevented the catastrophic failure as seen in neat geopolymer. When fiber content was 2.0 vol% with length of 5 mm, the composite obtained the highest flexural strength and work of fracture, which were 5.6 and 63 times as high as those of neat geopolymer, respectively. In-situ crack growth together with fractographs showed that toughening mechanisms of the composite included formation and propagation of microcracks, crack deflection, fiber debonding and significant pulling-out.     

Friction properties of sisal fiber/nano‐silica reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites

The friction‐resistant sisal fiber/nano‐silica phenol formaldehyde resin composites were prepared through compression molding. To enhance the bonding between the sisal fiber (SF) and polymer matrix, SF were treated with different surface modifiers. The worn surfaces of composites were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result shows that the matrix of nano‐silica phenol formaldehyde resin can relieve the heat fade of the friction materials. Meanwhile sisal fibers treated with borax have effectively improved the friction and wear properties of the composites when the fiber content was 15%. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:433–438, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

The dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) were investigated as a function of fiber content, frequency, and temperature. Investigation proved that at all temperature range the storage modulus (E′) value is maximum for the composites having fiber loading of 40 vol%. The loss modulus (E″) and damping peaks (tan δ) were lowered with increasing fiber content. The height of the damping peaks depends upon the fiber content and the fiber/matrix adhesion. The extent of the reinforcement was estimated from the experimental storage modulus, and it has been found that the effect of reinforcement is maximum at 40 vol% fiber content. As the fiber content increases the T_g from tan δ curve showed a positive shift. The loss modulus, storage modulus, and damping peaks were evaluated as a function of frequency. The activation energy for the glass transition increases upon the fiber content. Cole–Cole analysis was made to understand the phase behavior of the fiber reinforced composites. Finally, attempts were made to correlate the experimental dynamic properties with theoretical predictions. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

纳米二氧化硅/丁苯橡胶复合材料研究进展

介绍了纳米SiO2的制备方法、纳米SiO2/丁苯橡胶复合材料的研究进展,以及该增强体系的增强机理,指出了纳米SiO2/丁苯橡胶复合材料今后的研究方向。     

Lignin reinforced rubber composites

Lignin, a renewable waste material of pulp and paper industries, was analyzed through Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and found to be structurally similar to kraft lignin. Surface modification by addition of benzoyl peroxide and subsequent heating at 70°C caused generation of new functional groups in lignin. Efficacy of the crude lignin as well as that of the modified variety as a filler in nitrile rubber (NBR) has been evaluated. Rubber vulcanizates were analyzed for physico‐mechanical properties, oil and fuel resistance, and thermal stability, and compared with conventional fillers like phenolic resin and carbon black. Modified lignin has been found to produce superior elongation, hardness and compression set properties compared to phenolic resin but inferior to carbon black. Resistance to swelling, however, depends on the type of oil or fuel, and modified lignin always showed better properties than carbon black. Both thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermo‐mechanical analysis (TMA) showed highest thermal stability for the modified lignin followed by phenolic resin and carbon black.     

Natural rubber composites reinforced with sisal/oil palm hybrid fibers: Tensile and cure characteristics

Natural rubber was reinforced with untreated sisal and oil palm fibers chopped to different fiber lengths. The influence of fiber length on the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites was determined. Increasing the fiber length resulted in a decrease in the properties. The effects of concentration on the rubber composites reinforced with sisal/oil palm hybrid fibers were studied. Increasing the concentration of fibers resulted in a reduction in the tensile strength properties and tear strength but an increase in the modulus of the composites. Fiber breakage analysis was evaluated. The vulcanization parameters, processability characteristics, and stress–strain properties of these composites were analyzed. The extent of fiber alignment and the strength of the fiber–rubber interface adhesion were analyzed from the anisotropic swelling measurements. Scanning electron microscopy studies were performed to analyze the fiber/matrix interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2305–2312, 2004