Water bamboo husk reinforced poly(lactic acid) green composites

The water bamboo husk is one of major agricultural wastes in Taiwan. In this study, the powder obtained from the water bamboo husk was added to poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to form novel reinforced biodegradable composites. Morphologies, mechanical properties, and heat resistance of these water bamboo powder reinforced composites were investigated. The results indicate that the char yields were increased as plant powder was incorporated to PLA. In addition, the mechanical properties were also enhanced due to the addition of powders. The increments of storage moduli of PLA were about 50–200%. Moreover, the increments of loss moduli of PLA were about 70–200%. On the other hand, the T_g of PLA was slightly decreased by the addition of powder, and this may improve the brittle characteristics of PLA. Furthermore, this type of reinforced PLA would be more environmental friendly than the artificial additive‐reinforced one. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of coupling agents on rice‐husk‐filled HDPE extruded profiles

Lignocellulosic composites are diversifying their applications into various fields as they can meet the requirements of the respective applications by changing the matrix, fiber resource and processing ingredients. In this research work we explored the potential of extruded rice‐husk‐filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite profiles for structural applications. The structure and the properties of the interface in fiber‐reinforced composites play a crucial role in determining the performance properties of the composites. An optimum degree of adhesion between the fiber and the matrix is required for efficient stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber. Generally, coupling agents are used to improve the adhesion between lignocellulosic filler and the polymer matrix in structural composite materials. In this study, four different coupling agents based on ethylene‐(acrylic ester)‐(maleic anhydride) terpolymers and ethylene‐(acrylic ester)‐(glycidyl methacrylate) terpolymers were used to enhance the performance properties of the composites. The results indicated that these coupling agents enhanced the tensile and flexural strength of the composites significantly, and the extent of the coupling effect depends on the nature of the interface formed. Incorporation of coupling agents enhanced the resistance to thermal deformation and the water absorption properties of the composite, whereas it reduced the extrusion rate significantly. Among the four coupling agents used, EGMA1—the one with a glycidyl methacrylate functional group and without any methyl acrylate pendant group on the polymer backbone—was found to be the best coupling agent for the rice‐husk‐filled HDPE composites. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Recycled milk pouch and virgin low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene based coir fiber composites

The viability of the thermomechanical recycling of postconsumer milk pouches [a 50 : 50 low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene (LDPE–LLDPE) blend] and their use as polymeric matrices for coir‐fiber‐reinforced composites were investigated. The mechanical, thermal, morphological, and water absorption properties of recycled milk pouch polymer/coir fiber composites with different treated and untreated fiber contents were evaluated and compared with those of virgin LDPE–LLDPE/coir fiber composites. The water absorption of the composites measured at three different temperatures (25, 45, and 75°C) was found to follow Fickian diffusion. The mechanical properties of the composites significantly deteriorated after water absorption. The recycled polymer/coir fiber composites showed inferior mechanical performances and thermooxidative stability (oxidation induction time and oxidation temperature) in comparison with those observed for virgin polymer/fiber composites. However, a small quantity of a coupling agent (2 wt %) significantly improved all the mechanical, thermal, and moisture‐resistance properties of both types of composites. The overall mechanical performances of the composites containing recycled and virgin polymer matrices were correlated by the phase morphology, as observed with scanning electron microscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Studies on bamboo polymer composites with polyester amide polyol as interfacial agent

The effect of surface treatment on the properties of bamboo/epoxy, bamboo/polyester composites was investigated. An improvement in the properties was observed when the surfaces of the bamboo fibers were modified with polyesteramide polyol (PEAP). The performance of surface treated bamboo composites in terms of water resistance is significantly better than that of untreated bamboo composites. Polyester amide polyol treated bamboo composites exhibited better mechanical strength properties. Fractographic evidence such as fiber breakage/splitting and matrix adherence on the pulled‐out fiber surface explains such behavior.     

改性竹纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料的性能研究

以聚丙烯为基体材料,不同处理工艺改性的竹纤维为增强材料,采用密炼-注塑工艺制备聚丙烯/竹纤维复合材料。通过红外光谱仪(FTIR)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、热重分析仪(TGA)、万能试验机等对复合材料的化学结构、表面形态、热性能、力学性能等进行表征和测试。结果表明:偶联剂与碱处理均可改变竹纤维的表面特性,改善复合材料的界面相容性,其力学性能、热性能均随处理工艺有所改善。当偶联剂KH-550含量为2%时,复合材料有较好的力学性能,其断裂伸长率为14.5%,拉伸强度为30.48 MPa,冲击强度为22.4 kJ/m2。     

One‐step green treatment of hemp fiber used in polypropylene composites

In this article, an eco‐friendly and cost effective surface treatment method is proposed for hemp fiber, enabling fabrication of hemp fiber/polypropylene (PP) composites, which show better mechanical properties than the PP composites containing untreated or alkali treated hemp fiber. Various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), moisture analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), are employed for the characterization of hemp fiber and polymer composites interface. Based on these results, the conventional alkali treatment of hemp fiber results in the damage of elementary fiber by eliminating parts of lignin and hemicellulose, which could be the reason for the decline of mechanical properties for the resulted polymer composites. On the contrary, water treatment cleans the fiber surface by effectively removing the water‐soluble polysaccharides while ensures minimum degradation on elementary fiber structure, which contributes to the improved mechanical properties of final polymer composites: the Young's modulus, fracture stress and fracture strain were enhanced by 3.66, 7.86, and 14.6%, respectively, when compared with untreated fiber reinforced composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:385–390, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Bamboo fiber polypropylene composites: Effect of fiber treatment and nano clay on mechanical and thermal properties

In the current study, bamboo fibers were modified with sodium meta‐periodate in order to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the bamboo‐clay‐polypropylene (PP) composites. Both raw and treated bamboo fibers were used in the manufacturing of the composites. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites from modified bamboo fibers were found to increase considerably compared with those of untreated fibers. Tensile strengths of (raw bamboo fiber)/PP, (raw bamboo fiber‐clay)/PP, and (treated bamboo fiber‐clay)/PP composites showed a decreasing trend with increasing fiber loadings. However, the values for the chemically modified (bamboo fiber)‐clay‐PP composite at all mixing ratios were found to be higher than that of the original PP. The scanning electron micrographs showed that interfacial bonding between the treated fiber‐clay and matrix has significantly improved. It was determined that better dispersion of the filler into matrix occurred on 5% clay addition and fiber treatment. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:253–258, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites and their mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties

Short bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were prepared by incorporation of various loadings of chemically modified bamboo fibers. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA‐g‐PP) was used as compatibilizer to improve fiber–matrix adhesion. The effects of bamboo fiber loading and modification of the resin on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the bamboo reinforced modified PP composites were studied. Scanning electron microscopy studies of the composites were carried out on the interface and fractured surfaces. Thermogravimetric analysis and IR spectroscopy were also carried out. At 50% volume fraction of the extracted bamboo fiber in the composites, considerable increase in mechanical properties like impact, flexural, tensile, and thermal behavior like heat deflection temperature were observed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Bamboo fiber reinforced thermosetting resin composites: Effect of graft copolymerization of fiber with methacrylamide

Epoxy and polyester resins have been reinforced with methacrylamide (MAA) treated bamboo strip matting to develop bamboo fiber reinforced plastic composites. Bamboo mats were graft copolymerized with 1, 3, and 5% solution of MAA. The mechanical (tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus), thermal, and water absorption properties of the composites were determined. One percent treatment of bamboo with MAA gave optimum results with epoxy resin. The mechanical properties were improved. TGA results reveal that the degradation temperature of the composite has improved after grafting. The weight loss of 1% MAA treated bamboo–epoxy composite reached a value of 95.132% at 795°C compared to 97.655% at 685°C of untreated bamboo–epoxy composite. Water absorption in the composites was studied by long term immersion and 2 h boiling in distilled water. The process of water absorption indicates Fickian mode of diffusion. MAA treatment results in reduced water uptake. There was improvement in the properties of pretreated bamboo‐polyester matrix composite as well. Three percent treatment of bamboo with MAA gave optimum results with polyester resin. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

High performance of bamboo‐based fiber composites from long bamboo fiber bundles and phenolic resins

Lignocellulosic materials can be used for the development of bio‐based composites. This study explores the potential of long bamboo fiber bundles extracted directly from bamboo stems using the novel mechanical method and bamboo‐based fiber composites (BFC) fabricated using long bamboo fiber bundles and phenolic resins via cold pressing and thermal cure process. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and durability of BFC were evaluated, results being compared with raw bamboo and other commercialized bamboo fiber composites. The mechanical properties of BFC reinforced with 87% (w/w) long bamboo fiber bundles increased more than 50% than those of raw bamboo and were significantly higher than those of other bamboo‐based composites. Lower water absorption and thickness swelling were obtained in the case where bamboo fiber bundles with the small fineness. Higher tensile strength was obtained in the case where bamboo fiber bundles with large sizes of bamboo fiber bundles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40371.     

Effects of rice husk (RH) particle size,glass fiber (GF) length,RH/GF ratio,and addition of coupling agent on the mechanical and physical properties of polypropylene‐RH‐GF hybrid composites

Polypropylene (PP) hybrid composites based on rice husk (RH) with different particle size and glass fiber (GF) with different length were prepared. The composites were subjected to mechanical and water immersion tests. From the results obtained, it was found that the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were strongly dependent on the size of RH particle and length of GF. It could be further enhanced with the presence of coupling agent. In this study, two types of coupling agents, i.e., Epolene E‐43 (E‐43) and 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)‐propylmethacrylate (TPM), were employed. In general, E‐43 imparted significant improvement in the mechanical properties. From the water immersion results, it was found that the hydrophobicity of the composites was increased with the presence of coupling agent. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of chemically treated pine needles reinforced thermosetting composites

Natural fibers are widely used as reinforcement in composites. Pine needles are one of the major biowaste generated by Pinus roxburgii plant. This species is found abundantly in the forests of Himachal Pradesh. In this work, composites of urea–resorcinol–formaldehyde resin‐reinforced with Pine needles fibers were prepared. Fibers were chemically modified to improve their compatibility with matrix. These fibers were mercerized with NaOH solution and acetylated to increase their hydrophobic character. The chemically modified fibers were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectra, ¹³C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The composites were prepared with treated and untreated fibers containing 30% fibers by weight using compression molding technique. The morphology of the materials thus obtained was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The chemical modifications of fibers improve fiber–matrix adhesion and also have markedly effect on mechanical properties of composites. Moreover, the thermal resistance of these composites was improved on chemical modification. These results indicate that chemically modified fibers exhibit better compatibility with the polymer matrix than that of untreated fiber. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci, 2013     

Surface modification of cellulose fibers. II. The effect of cellulose fiber treatment on the performance of cellulose–polyester composites

Cellulose fibers treated with different coupling agents based on trichloro-s-triazine have been evaluated in terms of their reinforcement effect on unsaturated polyesters. The treatment with coupling agents containing double bonds resulted in what we believe to be the formation of covalent bonds between fiber and matrix. This has been compared with a treatment, which can only lead to formation of close interfacial molecular contact by wetting. The tensile properties of composites prepared from treated and untreated fibers were studied before and after exposure to water. It was found that all types of fiber treatment decreased water absorption and the reduction of mechanical properties in wet conditions, but that the degradation at the fiber/matrix interface which occurs from immersion in water and drying could only be avoided through the development of covalent bonds between fiber and matrix. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the adhesion between fiber and matrix. An explanation of the reduction of mechanical properties of cellulose-fiber reinforced polymers in wet conditions is proposed.     

热处理对聚合物改性纤维增韧水泥基复合材料物理力学性能的影响

采用环氧乳液、乳胶粉制备了聚合物改性纤维增韧水泥基复合材料,研究了200℃、400℃、600℃、800℃热处理对材料物理力学性能的影响.结果表明:掺加聚合物可以改善试样的高温体积稳定性,使得试样在800℃高温下热处理时不发生爆裂;室温冷却条件下,聚合物使得材料峰值残余强度对应的温度由400℃降低至200℃,而在水冷却条...     

Thermogravimetric and weathering study of novolac resin composites reinforced with mercerized bamboo fiber

The effect of alkali treatment of bamboo strips on the thermal and weathering properties of unidirectional bamboo strips‐novolac resin composites were investigated in this work. Both alkali treated and untreated bamboo fiber‐reinforced composites were fabricated. All types of composite specimens were subjected to accelerated weathering and the % water absorption and dimensional changes were recorded after 120 h immersion in water at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and further characterized by flexural property measurements. The composites were also subjected to exposure at 100% humidity and UV exposure (sun light) for 75 h. The results showed that the composites with treated bamboo strips showed a better weathering characteristics compared with the untreated ones. Thermogravimatric analysis of all the samples indicated better thermal properties of alkali treated samples. These findings confirmed the improved interfacial interactions arising from covalent bonds between the alkali treated bamboo fibers and novolac resin. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of the addition of silane coupling agents on the properties of wollastonite‐reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) composites

The wollastonite was grafted with different silane coupling agents, which could improve interface adhesion. Wollastonite and modified wollastonite‐reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composites were prepared by melt blending. The mechanical properties, rheology behavior, and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. The modified wollastonite‐reinforced PEEK composites exhibited better mechanical properties than the unmodified wollastonite‐reinforced PEEK composites based on good interfacial adhesion. The composites had lower activation volume and complex shear viscosity. Furthermore, the modified wollastonite‐reinforced PEEK composites had higher crystallization peak temperature (T_c) and crystalline fraction (χ_c) compared with the unmodified wollastonite‐reinforced PEEK composites. This study shows that the traditional silane coupling agents could effectively improve the performance of PEEK composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

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     

Surface of cellulosic materials modified with functionalized polyethylene coupling agents

The interfacial adhesion between a wood fiber and a plastic matrix strongly influences the performance of wood‐fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites. Fiber surface modification with coupling agents is generally needed to induce bond formation between the fiber and polymer matrix. This study investigated the chemical reactions between cellulosic materials and functionalized polyethylene coupling agents. Both wood flour and cotton cellulose powder were treated with acrylic acid‐functionalized polyethylene and maleic anhydride‐functionalized polyethylene (maleated polyethylene) for surface modifications, and chemical changes resulting from these treatments were followed by a study of the Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra. Variations in the band intensities, oxygen‐to‐carbon ratios, and concentrations of unoxidized carbon atoms were related to changes that occurred on the surfaces of modified cellulosic materials. The experimental results indicated that chemical bonds between the hydroxyl groups of the cellulosic materials and the functional groups of the coupling agents occurred through esterification reactions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 278–286, 2003     

Influence of modified wood fibers on the mechanical properties of wood fiber-reinforced polyethylene

Wood fiber of aspen was used as a reinforced filler in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). To improve the compatibility between the wood fiber and the LLDPE matrix, the wood fiber was treated with titanate coupling agents (i.e., TC-PBT and TC-POT) or grafted by acrylonitrile. Both treatments resulted in an improvement in the mechanical properties of the resultant composites compared with the composites filled with the untreated wood fiber. Moreover, the grafting method displayed a more obvious benefit than that of titanate coupling methods to the mechanical property improvement. This was attributed to the crystalline structure of the wood fiber to be destroyed by grafting acrylonitrile, and the amorphous fiber was easily deformed to enhance fiber adhesion at the LLDPE matrix. In addition, the effect of the concentration of the filled wood fiber and the amount of coupling agent or grafting ratio on the mechanical properties of composites are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1561–1568, 1997     

纳米SiO2/竹纤维/环氧树脂复合材料性能研究

将竹纤维加入到环氧树脂中以形成增强环氧复合材料,研究了竹纤维竹粉和纳米二氧化硅（SiO2）对环氧树脂的力学性能和耐溶剂浸蚀性能的影响。竹纤维含量为15%时,竹纤维/环氧树脂的冲击强度比纯环氧树脂提高50%。纳米SiO2能同时增强和增韧竹纤维/环氧树脂,并提高其耐溶剂浸蚀性能,纳米SiO2含量为4%时,纳米SiO2/竹纤维/环氧树脂三元复合材料的冲击和拉伸强度分别比未添加纳米SiO2的竹纤维/环氧树脂提高40%和30%。当纳米SiO2/竹纤维/环氧树脂的质量比为4/15/85时,三元复合材料的综合性能较好。