Influence of Process Variables on the Bending Strength of Particleboard Produced from Arabian Date Palm Mid-Rib Chips

Feed produced from Arabian date palm (Phoenix dectylifera-L) biomass and impregnated with urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesive binder is subjected to hot compaction to yield particleboard panels of excellent bending strength. Process variables such as press temperature, press cycle time, compaction pressure and particle thickness are shown to exercise significant effects on the bending strength of the final product. The influence of chipping technique on particle integrity and surface quality is highlighted. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evidence is presented to illustrate microstructural damages caused by excessively high compaction pressure.     

Tensile Strength of Monolayer Particleboards Produced from Date Palm Midrib Chips Bonded with Urea Formaldehyde

Systematic laboratory-scale experiments were carried out to study the technical feasibility of producing monolayer particleboards using midribs of Saudi Arabian date palm tree branches (Phoenix dactylifera-L) as raw material. Chips produced from midrib and impregnated with a predetermined proportion of urea formaldyhde binder were hot-pressed under constant pressure (3.25 N/mm²), temperature (180°C) and press cycle times of 5, 7, and 9 min. Experimental particleboard specimens subjected to mechanical tests exhibited satisfactory tensile strength levels. Strength was enhanced phenomenally by improving the particle quality and optimizing experimental variables. Electron microscopy and EDX data on the internal structure of the midribs are also reported.     

The Effect of Surface Treatment on the Strength and Adhesion Characteristics of Phoenix dactylifera-L(Date Palm) Fibers

ABSTRACT

There is a growing interest in the use of natural/bio-fibers as reinforcing components for thermoplastics and thermosets. However, they do suffer from a few limitations, such as lower compatibility with relatively hydrophobic polymer matrixes. Thus, improvement of the interface and interphase interactions in natural fiber–polyester composites is essential. In this research date palm (Phoenix dactylifera-L) fibers were modified by surface treatment using chemical method in order to improve their adhesion to polyester matrixes. Alkaline treatment, as an example of dissolution and treatment with silane coupling agents were performed. Furthermore, a combination treatment of alkaline and silane coupling agents was also carried out. Fiber modifications were monitored by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition to that, the improvement of adhesion and strength between date palm–modified fibers and polyester matrix was investigated by single filament pull-out test as well as tensile tests. It was found, from interfacial shear strength values, that substantial improvements in fiber-matrix compatibility have been achieved. According to single filament pull-out test results, interfacial shear strength increased for all treated fibers as compared to non-treated fibers. Particularly, combination of alkaline and silane coupling agents resulted in substantial adhesion improvement to the polyester matrix in comparison to the untreated fibers and fibers treated by alkaline and silane methods only.     

The Physical Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Composites Made from Various Thermoplastics

Abstract

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)-based composites were produced using different types of thermoplastic as matrices. The composites were produced by using an internal mixer. The mechanical and water absorption properties of composites were investigated. Overall, the incorporation of EFB into the polymer matrix has resulted in the reduction of flexural strength. The poor performance has been attributed to the poor filler-matrix interaction. Both flexural and tensile modulus of PE and PP composites have been improved upon the addition of fillers, however, both PS and PVC composites showed a decreasing trend. Tensile strength and elongation at break results for all composites have been reduced as the result of incorporation of filler. This has been attributed to the poor filler-matrix interaction or compatibility, size irregularity and also decreased ductile deformation. Water absorption and thickness swelling increased as the filler loading is increased. This has been attributed to the presence of hyrophillic hydroxyl groups of the filler.     

The Properties of Woven Kenaf and Betel Palm (Areca catechu) Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

The use of woven betel palm and kenaf lignocellulosic fibers as a reinforcing phase in unsaturated polyester was reported. The morphology, physical properties, and mechanical properties of the natural fibers and resulting woven composites were evaluated. Kenaf fibers exhibit higher tensile properties than betel palm fibers due to the higher amount of cellulose content. From the morphology observation, it is found that the alkaline treatment of the fibers effectively clean the fiber surface and increase the fiber surface roughness. Comparison between treated and untreated woven betel palm and kenaf composites at 7 vol% of fiber content was carried out. Interestingly, untreated woven kenaf composites exhibit comparable flexural strength with those of untreated woven betel palm composites. However, untreated kenaf composites exhibit superior flexural modulus to those of betel palm composites. In general, mechanical properties of the woven composites made from alkali-treated fibers were superior to the untreated fibers.     

Physical Properties of Barrier Ribs of Plasma Display Panels: II, Effects of Fillers

The effects of inert fillers, such as quartz and Al₂O₃, on the sintering behavior and physical properties of lead borosilicate glasses used for barrier ribs of plasma display panels (PDP) were investigated. The effects of volume fraction and type of filler on the sintering temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, dielectric constant, and fracture resistance of the barrier ribs of PDP were investigated. The influence of the filler on sintering behavior was discussed based on the wetting angle of the glass on the fillers. The physical properties and fracture resistance of the glass with fillers were measured and compared with theoretical models.     

Physical,Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa Fiber/Polymer Composite

Tensile, compressive, flexural and wear resistance properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa fiber-reinforced phenolic (Resorcinol Formaldehyde) resin matrix-based composites were evaluated to assess the possibility of using these fibers as a new eco-friendly material in engineering applications. Polymer composite samples were fabricated by a compression-molding technique developed in our laboratory. The effect of fiber dimension on mechanical properties was evaluated. The interfacial bonding between Hibiscus sabdariffa fiber and the polymer matrix has been found to affect the mechanical properties of the resorcinol formaldehyde resin matrix. It has been observed that particle-reinforced polymer composites exhibit better mechanical properties as compared to short and long fiber-reinforced polymeric composites. These composites were further subjected to an evaluation of morphological, thermal, physical (swelling and moisture absorption) and chemical properties.     

The Influence of Green Surface Modification of Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber by Superheated Steam on the Mechanical Properties and Dimensional Stability of Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber/Poly(butylene succinate) Biocomposite

In this paper, superheated steam (SHS) was used as cost effective and green processing technique to modify oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) for biocomposite applications. The purpose of this modification was to promote the adhesion between fiber and thermoplastic. The modification was carried out in a SHS oven at various temperature (200–230 °C) and time (30–120 min) under normal atmospheric pressure. The biocomposites from SHS-treated OPMFs and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) at a weight ratio of 70:30 were prepared by melt blending technique. The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the biocomposites were evaluated. This study showed that the SHS treatment increased the roughness of the fiber surface due to the removal of surface impurities and hemicellulose. The tensile, flexural and impact properties, as well as dimensional stability of the biocomposites were markedly enhanced by the presence of SHS-treated OPMF. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed improvement of interfacial adhesion between PBS and SHS-treated OPMF. This work demonstrated that SHS could be used as an eco-friendly and sustainable processing method for modification of OPMF in biocomposite fabrication.     

Effect of Fiber Esterification on Fundamental Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Biocomposites

A new class of biocomposites based on oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), which is a biodegradable aliphatic aromatic co-polyester, were prepared using melt blending technique. The composites were prepared at various fiber contents of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt% and characterized. Chemical treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber was successfully done by grafting succinic anhydride (SAH) onto the EFB fiber surface, and the modified fibers were obtained in two levels of grafting (low and high weight percentage gain, WPG) after 5 and 6 h of grafting. The FTIR characterization showed evidence of successful fiber esterification. The results showed that 40 wt% of fiber loading improved the tensile properties of the biocomposite. The effects of EFB fiber chemical treatments and various organic initiators content on mechanical and thermal properties and water absorption of PBAT/EFB 60/40 wt% biocomposites were also examined. The SAH-g-EFB fiber at low WPG in presence of 1 wt% of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) initiator was found to significantly enhance the tensile and flexural properties as well as water resistance of biocomposite (up to 24%) compared with those of untreated fiber reinforced composites. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/differential thermogravimetric (DTG) thermograms. It was observed that, the chemical treatment has marginally improved the biocomposites' thermal stability in presence of 1 wt% of dicumyl peroxide at the low WPG level of grafting. The improved fiber-matrix surface enhancement in the chemically treated biocomposite was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens.     

Mechanical Properties of Benzoylated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Short Fiber Reinforced Poly(vinyl chloride) Composites

The influence of untreated and benzoylated oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) short fiber loading on the mechanical properties of the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composite was studied. Benzoylated OPEFB was produced by mixing OPEFB with NaOH solution and agitating vigorously with benzoyl chloride. The PVC resin, various additives, and OPEFB were first dry blended using a laboratory mixer before being milled into sheets on a two-roll mill at 165°C and then hot pressed into composite samples at 180°C. The tensile and impact strength of untreated and benzoylated OPEFB composites decreased whereas the tensile modulus increased with increasing fiber loading from 0 to 40 phr. However, the benzoylated OPEFB was able to improve the tensile properties and impact strength of composites when compared to the untreated fiber. The enhancement of mechanical properties showed that the treatment improved the OPEFB fiber-PVC matrix interfacial adhesion. The improvement of adhesion was clarified by SEM micrographs, the increase of water resistance, and the reduction of glass transition temperature of the composites.     

Photocuring of Empty Fruit Bunches of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Fibers with Allyl Methacrylate (AMA): Effect of Additives on Mechanical and Degradable Properties

Empty fruit bunches of oil palm fibers can be used as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional reinforcing fibers, like glass, carbon, etc. In order to improve the interfacial properties, this fiber was subjected to grafting with bulk monomer allyl methacrylate (AMA) and cured under UV radiation. It was found that UV curing enhanced the physicomechanical properties to a large extent compared to the untreated virgin fiber. Among different AMA concentration, the fibers treated with 10% monomer showed the best mechanical properties after 15 passes of UV radiation. Different additives such as urea, acrylamide, and NVP were added with the 10% AMA solution, and the effect of additives was studied. It was found that fibers treated with 2% urea showed even better PL and tensile properties than those treated only with AMA. the treated and untreated fiber samples were also subjected to various weather conditions such as simulating weather, soil, and water aging to determine the degradable properties. It was observed that the minimum loss in each case was shown by the sample treated with the formulations that contain urea as additives with AMA and that fiber aged in soil showed higher loss of weight and tensile properties than that aged in water.     

Physical and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin matrix from recycled PET (based PG) with corn straw fiber

In this study, composites of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), synthesized from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with 10 to 40% in volume of corn straw fiber (CSF), were elaborated and studied the effect of fiber content on their physical and mechanical properties. The content of cellulose (48.97%), hemicellulose (24.06%), and lignin (6.59%) were determined by chemical characterization of CSF. The characteristic bonds of the UPR were identified as a cross-linking network between the styrene monomer (ST) and the unsaturated polyester (UP) through FTIR. Two decomposition stages were observed by TGA–DTG. The results of physical and mechanical properties showed that as the fiber content increased in the UPR, the water absorption increased (0.6% to 2.56%), on the other hand, the density (1218.23 to 1150.28 kg/m³), flexural strength (50.58 to 26.98 MPa), flexural modulus (2.66 to 2.29 GPa), tensile strength (8.62 to 3.65 MPa), tensile modulus (1.18 to 0.43 GPa), and hardness (81.67 to 65.67 Shore D), they decreased. SEM analysis showed some defects in the fiber distribution in the UPR, which affected the mechanical properties of the composites. This research contributes to the development of new material from use of two waste materials for the benefit of the environment.     

Effect of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Acrylic Impact Modifier on Mechanical Properties and Processability of Unplasticized Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Composites

Abstract

Interest in the use of natural fibers as fillers has grown over the past few years due to the advantages it offers. The use of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as a filler in the unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) is a new attraction in polymer composite technology. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of EFB fillers on processability and mechanical properties of unmodified and acrylic-impact modified PVC-U. To produce the compound, the PVC resin and the additives were first dry blended using a laboratory blender before being milled into sheets using two-roll mill. Test specimens were prepared using a hot press, after which impact and flexural properties were determined. The processability studies of the dry blend were carried out by using a Brabender Torque Rheometer model PL2200. The results showed that the incorporation of EFB filler into unmodified PVC-U decreased the fusion time, but increased the fusion time of acrylic-impact modified PVC-U. The end torque decreased upon the addition of EFB filler for both samples. The addition of 9 phr of acrylic impact modifier into the unfilled and EFB-filled PVC-U compound decreased the fusion time. The flexural modulus showed improvement upon addition of EFB filler, with a sacrifice in impact and flexural strength. The overall results show that the incorporation of EFB filler modified the processability and mechanical properties of both the unmodified and acrylic-impact modified samples.     

细菌纤维素的静态发酵及物理性质研究

以木醋杆菌为生产菌,在静态培养条件下,通过改变碳源及初始pH值等条件,初步研究了发酵过程中pH值、残糖以及纤维素产量的变化,并初步测定了纤维素的性质。结果发现在葡萄糖、麦芽糖、蔗糖、甘露醇四种碳源中,甘露醇获得的纤维素产量最高;菌体在初始pH值4～6范围内生长较好,pH值为4.5时产量最高;扫描电镜观察菌体长度大约为2μm,宽度为0.8μm左右,纤维直径分布在10～80nm之间,其中80%主要分布在20～50nm,在30～40nm之间最多;红外光谱显示了细菌纤维素葡聚糖的特征吸收;热重分析表明,细菌纤维素最大失重速率温度为342.9℃,在622.2℃,失重率达到72.26%;每克湿纤维素膜含水130～210g,含水率超过99%,而每克干纤维素膜能吸水3.1～5.0g。     

Physical Properties of Plasticized Poly(vinyl chloride) Blended with Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoparticles Synthesized by Differential Microemulsion Polymerization

In this work, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles synthesized by differential micro emulsion polymerization were used to improve the physical properties of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). PVC, plasticizer (40 phr), heat stabilizer (2 phr), and lubricant (0.2 phr) were melt-mixed with varied amount of the PMMA nanoparticles (3, 5, 7, and 9 phr) on a two-roll mill, followed by compression molding. The results showed that the tensile strength, Young's modulus, tear strength, and thermal stability were improved, but the elongation at break deteriorated with increased PMMA content. Moreover, the flammability of the plasticized PVC was not improved by the PMMA nanoparticles.     

P3/4HB/PBS共混物的物理性能及微生物降解

将不同比例的聚(3-羟基丁酸-co-4-羟基丁酸)共聚酯(P3/4HB)和聚丁二酸丁二酯(PBS)进行物理共混,通过FTIR、DSC、TG和SEM研究了复合材料的力学性能、亲水性能、热稳定性和结晶性。当PBS的添加量为10%时,复合材料的力学性能较好。与纯P3/4HB相比,拉伸强度增加了154%,达到了18.6 MPa;断裂伸长率增加了82%,为638%;弹性模量约下降94 MPa。复合物水溶解性能较小,只有0.34%,抗水性增强。DSC分析表明,2种聚合物的相容性较好。PBS的添加降低了材料的熔点,增加了结晶性能,同时减缓了材料的结晶速率。TG分析结果表明,复合材料稳定性增强,加工窗口拓宽了32℃。采用Pseudomonas.mendocina DS04-T菌株降解复合材料,当降解时间为120 h时,复合材料降解率为92.5%。     

Composites of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blend with wood fiber and wollastonite: Physical properties,morphology, and biodegradability

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was first melt blended with five weight percentages (10–50 wt %) of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) on a twin-screw extruder and then injection molded. The blend at 30 wt % PBAT exhibited the highest impact strength and elongation-at-break without phase inversion. The 70/30 (w/w) PLA/PBAT blend with high toughness improvement was selected for preparing both single and hybrid composites using an organic filler, wood fiber (WF) and inorganic filler, wollastonite (WT) with a fix total loading at 30 parts per hundred of resin (phr) throughout the experiment. Five WF/WT (phr/phr) ratios for the composites were 30/0, 10/20, 15/15, 20/10, and 0/30. The prepared composites were investigated for the mechanical and thermal properties, melt flow index (MFI), morphology, flammability, water uptake, and biodegradability as a function of composition. All the composites showed a filler-dose-dependent decrease in the impact strength, elongation-at-break, MFI, and thermal stability, but an increase in the tensile and flexural modulus, tensile and flexural strength, antidripping ability, and water uptake compared with the neat blend. The addition of WF and WT was also found to promote the biodegradability of the PLA/PBAT blend. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47543.     

Spraying Cellulose Nanofibrils for Improvement of Tensile and Barrier Properties of Writing & Printing (W&P) Paper

An experimental spray coater was used to coat writing and printing (W&P) paper substrate with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) suspensions. The effects of spraying variables (i.e. concentration of suspension, spray pressure, distance and time of spray) on the coated sheets were analyzed in terms of the tensile strength, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and oxygen transmission rate (OTR). Basis weight and the thickness of coated layers in the different treatments were measured. In addition, image analysis of the microstructure examined the coating adhesion. The WVTR of the papers decreased, while tensile strength increased with one layer of CNF coating. The OTR was not changed with the CNF coating. The tensile strength and microstructure images of the coated papers indicate good adhesion between the CNF coating and the paper substrate when using the spray coater.     

低共熔溶剂的分子结构及物性估算的研究进展

低共熔溶剂具有熔点低、不挥发、不易燃、溶解性良好、易合成、廉价、低毒、腐蚀性低、生物降解性好等特点,常被作为"绿色"溶剂应用于金属加工和合成反应中。然而,目前对低共熔溶剂的结构和性质的研究只限于少部分具体的低共熔溶剂,没有形成系统全面的理论体系。简述了低共熔溶剂的合成与分类、分子结构和形成机理的研究进展,归纳了低共熔溶剂的物性估算方法,并指出了一些关于低共熔溶剂研究中存在的问题,提出了可能的解决方案。