A novel synthetic route to natural rubber/montmorillonite nanocomposites using colloid stabilization–destabilization method

A novel synthetic route to the highly-loaded rubber nanocomposite was developed by a stabilization–destabilization process of colloidal mixtures using montmorillonite (MMT) and natural rubber (NR) as a model system. By analyzing the zeta potentials of the MMT and NR colloids, the stable and unstable conditions of their mixture were identified and subsequently used as the mixing and precipitating process conditions, respectively. The NR drops and MMT nanoplatelets were homogeneously mixed due to their electrostatic repulsion in the stabilized condition of pH > 10.5 and, then the stabilized colloidal mixture were forced to precipitate quickly by changing to pH < 4.0 for destabilization, where the surface charge of the NR drops became positive and attracted the negatively-charged MMT particles resultantly to coagulate together. The developed methodology enabled a maximum loading content of MMT up to 25 phr (20.0 wt%) with a surprisingly large increment in mechanical properties: e.g., tensile modulus by 198% and tear strength by 69%.     

Effect of surface treatment on performance of pineapple leaf fiber–polycarbonate composites

This research is to study the properties of pineapple leaf fiber reinforced polycarbonate composites (PC/PALF). Surface of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was pre-treated with sodium hydroxide (PALF/NaOH) and modified with two different functionalities such as γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (PALF/Z-6011) and γ-methacryloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (PALF/Z-6030). The effects of PALF content and chemical treatment were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing. The modified pineapple leaf fibers composite also produces enhanced mechanical properties. Young’s modulus is the highest in the case of the PALF/NaOH composites. The PALF/Z-6011 composites showed the highest tensile strength and impact strength. In thermal property, the results from thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of the composites is lower than that of neat polycarbonate resin and thermal stability decreased with increasing pineapple leaf fiber content.     

Commingled natural fibre/polypropylene wrap spun yarns for structured thermoplastic composites

A major challenge for natural fibre composites is to achieve high mechanical performance at a competitive price. Composites constructed from yarns perform better than composites made from random nonwoven mats. However, the twist structure of conventional ring spun yarns prevents the full utilization of fibre mechanical properties in the final composites. We produced flax/polypropylene commingled wrap yarns in which all flax fibres were twistless. Composites made from the wrap yarn demonstrated significant improvement of flexural modulus. Most currently available low cost natural fibres, such as decorticated hemp, cannot be efficiently made into yarns because of their lack of cohesion. Adding polypropylene fibres to decorticated hemp improved textile processing performance. The polypropylene fibres served as a carrier for the natural fibres during processing and became the polymer matrix in the final composites.     

Ternary nano-CaCO3/poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber/polypropylene composites: Increased impact strength and reinforcing mechanism

The binary nano-CaCO₃/polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers/PP and ternary nano-CaCO₃/PET fibers/polypropylene composites were prepared by melt blending method, and their structure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that the ternary nano-CaCO₃/PET fibers/PP composite displays significantly enhanced mechanical properties compared with the binary PET fibers/PP and nano-CaCO₃/PP composites, and neat PP. The X-ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and analysis of the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics were used to investigate the reinforcement mechanism of composites. The results indicate that the interfacial action and compatibility between PET fiber and PP are obviously enhanced by the addition of modified nano-CaCO₃ particles in the ternary composites and the mechanical property enhancement in the ternary system may be mainly originated from the formation of β-form crystallites of PP induced by the synergistic effect between PET fibers and nano-CaCO_3.     

Acoustic emission for monitoring the mechanical behaviour of natural fibre composites: A literature review

In recent years, natural fibres are increasingly used as reinforcements for the production of low-cost and lightweight polymer composites: other advantages include non-abrasive nature, high specific properties, and biodegradability. However, their limitations, including moisture absorption, poor wettability and large scattering in mechanical properties, and the not sufficient understanding of mechanisms controlling their mechanical behaviour and failure modes, still confine the use of natural fibre reinforced composites in non-structural applications. Acoustic emission (AE) proved useful for its capability of real-time monitoring over the whole material volume and high sensitivity to any process generating stress waves.This paper presents a literature review of AE applications in studies on natural fibre composites. The following fields of application are covered: (1) interface studies in single fibre composite (SFC) tests, (2) damage evolution and failure mechanisms detection and (3) crack propagation, including also current limitations of existing literature and future work.     

Polyampholytes superabsorbent nanocomposites with excellent gel strength

A series of novel polyampholyte superabsorbent nanocomposites with excellent gel strength were synthesized by in situ solution polymerization in aqueous solution. Acrylic acid and acryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DAC) were employed as ionic monomers and montmorillonite (MMT) was used as inorganic component. The addition of cationic component could supply the positive charge in the network of nanocomposite and promote the formation of nanostructure of composites due to the interaction between DAC and clay platelets. The performance of polyampholyte nanocomposites were investigated and the result showed that the gel strength of nanocomposite hydrogel in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution could reach 198.85 and 204.23 mJ/g, respectively, which were 13 times of the gel strength of matrix. The investigation of swelling behaviors showed that the nanocomposites had particular swelling behaviors of polyampholytes hydrogel in solution with different pH values and concentration of NaCl.     

Mechanical properties and flammability of sisal/PP composites: Effect of flame retardant type and content

In this research, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) and zinc borate, as flame retardants, were incorporated into sisal/PP composites. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene was also used as a compatibilizer. Adding flame retardants into sisal/PP composites reduced burning rate and increased thermal stability of the composites. No synergistic effect was observed when both magnesium hydroxide and zinc borate were incorporated in the sisal/PP composites. In addition, the sisal/PP composites exhibited insignificant difference of shear viscosity at high shear rate indicating that types of flame retardants used in this study had no impact on the processability of the composites. Good distribution of flame retardants and sisal fiber in PP matrix was also observed. All PP composites had lower impact strength than the neat PP. However, the sisal/PP composites with the addition of Mg(OH)₂ and zinc borate exhibited comparable tensile and flexural properties to the sisal/PP composites without adding those flame retardants. Therefore, the addition of Mg(OH)₂ and zinc borate enhanced flame retardancy of sisal/PP composites without sacrificing their mechanical properties.     

Effect of glass fiber hybridization on properties of sisal fiber–polypropylene composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites became more attractive due to their light weight, high specific strength, and environmental concern. However, some limitations such as low modulus, poor moisture resistance were reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of glass fiber hybridization on the physical properties of sisal–polypropylene composites. Polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the compatibility between the fibers and polypropylene. Incorporating glass fiber into the sisal–polypropylene composites enhanced tensile, flexural, and impact strength without having significant effect on tensile and flexural moduli. In addition, adding glass fiber improved thermal properties and water resistance of the composites.     

Crashworthiness characteristics investigation of silk/epoxy composite square tubes

This research concentrates on the evaluation of crashworthiness characteristics of natural silk/epoxy composite square tubes energy-absorbers. Composite laminate specimens were subjected to static axial compression load and experimental evaluation of the energy absorption capability of silk/epoxy composite. Specimens were in the form of square cross-sections with the dimension of 80 mm × 80 mm and a radius curvature of 5 mm. The variables in the experiment were the length of the tubes built 50 mm, 80 mm and 120 mm. Meanwhile, the thickness of the walls, consisting of laminates of silk/epoxy of 12, 24 and 30 plies, correspond to equivalent wall thickness of 1.7 mm, 3.4 mm and 4.2 mm, respectively. The parameters measured were the total absorbed energy (E_total), and the crash force efficiency (CFE). E_total is the measure of the amount of energy that the structure can withstand without failure and thus is a measure of its strength, while CFE gives a quantitative indication of the mode of failure of the composites. The mode of failure was observed using photography.     

Manufacturing techniques and property evaluations of conductive composite yarns coated with polypropylene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

This study uses a melt extrusion method, a method for producing wires, to coat polyester (PET) yarns with polypropylene (PP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The resulting PP/MWCNTs-coated PET conductive yarns are tested for their tensile properties, processability, morphology, melting and crystallization behaviors, electrical conductivity, and applications. The test results indicate that tensile strength of the conductive yarns increases with an increase in the coiling speed that contributes to a more single-direction-orientated MWCNTs arrangement as well as a greater adhesion between PP/MWCNTs and PET yarns. 8 wt% MWCNTs results in an 18 °C higher crystallization temperature (T_c) of PP and an electrical conductivity of 0.8862 S/cm. The test results of this study have proven that this form of processing technology can prepare PP/MWCNTs-coated PET conductive yarns that have satisfactory tensile properties and electrical conductivity, and can be used in functional woven fabrics and knitted fabrics.     

Preparation and characteristics of a vapor-grown carbon fiber/ceramic composite using a methylsilicone precursor

Vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF)/silicon oxycarbide ceramic composites have been prepared by pyrolysis of a VGCF/methylsilicone precursor (MSR) composite produced through polymer melt-mixing. The electrical resistivity of the composite before and after pyrolysis was drastically reduced by VGCF (above 5 wt% in MSR), and reached the order of 10⁰ Ω cm. However, the ceramic composite could not always maintain its shape because of shrinkage from the weight loss of MSR during pyrolysis. To overcome this difficulty, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microbeads were added as a sacrificial processing aid during melt-mixing to enable the material to maintain its shape through the microporous structure generated. The microcellular VGCF/ceramics obtained from VGCF/MSR/PMMA were characterized in terms of their shrinkage, mechanical, structural and electrical properties, and their composition was optimized. It was found that microcellular VGCF/ceramics derived from an optimal VGCF/MSR/PMMA composition of 5/45/45 (by weight) gave a low electrical volume resistivity (around 1.0 Ω cm), comparable to that of VGCF/ceramics from 10/90 (by weight) VGCF/MSR.     

Evaluation of the interfacial properties of polypropylene composite laminates,reinforced with paper sheets

Laminates, composed of different papers and polypropylene (PP), were fabricated by a manual stacking and hot pressing. The laminates were characterized by mechanical testing and the results were compared to glass fiber reinforced PP. Furthermore, a detailed evaluation of the interfacial properties and the paper structures was carried out by means of data modeling via rule of mixtures (ROM), as well as electron microscope (SEM) analysis. For investigating the influence of the laminate’s composition on the water adsorption behavior, water diffusion coefficients were determined. As a result, laminates with a tensile modulus up to 6 GPa and a tensile strength of 80 MPa were obtained. The property changes of the papers upon processing were successfully modeled, revealing a significant increase of the paper’s mechanical properties after fiber embedding. In general, the obtained results indicate a high potential of paper as a suitable reinforcement material for low to middle strained applications.     

High performance natural rubber/thermally reduced graphite oxide nanocomposites by latex technology

The latex technology is an innovative alternative for the preparation of composites of natural rubber (NR) and thermally reduced graphite oxide (TRGO). To achieve an improvement of material properties is indispensable to prepare stable suspensions of TRGO. In this work the influence of two surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), as ionic, and Pluronic F 127 as non-ionic surfactant, on the dispersion of TRGO in NR latex and the mechanical and physical properties of the composites were studied. The results showed that the SDS surfactant is ideal for preparing latex NR/TRGO nanocomposite. An optimum dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix was achieved in the presence of SDS, as reflected in a considerable improvement of the physical and mechanical properties of the material. Thus, the nanocomposites with 3 phr of TRGO exhibited an improvement of nearly 400% in the maximum strength and an electrical percolation threshold with values around 10⁻⁶ S/cm, above the static limit.     

Experimental testing and phenomenological modelling of the fragmentation process of braided carbon/epoxy composite tubes under axial and oblique impact

A new simulation technique is presented for the phenomenological modelling of stable fragmentation in fibre reinforced composite structures under dynamic compressive loading. An explicit crash code is used for implementation of a hybrid modelling technique, in which two distinct material models act simultaneously. The first model is implemented in a multi-layered shell element and uses a unidirectional composites fracture criterion to predict potential ply fracture mechanisms on a macroscopic scale. This model is, however, unable to represent the complex localised fracture mechanisms that occur on a meso (sub-ply) scale under compression fragmentation loading. Therefore, a second constitutive model is added to capture the energy absorbing process within the fragmentation zone, utilising an Energy Absorbing Contact (EAC) formulation between the composite structure and the impacting body. The essential benefits of the procedure are that it requires minimal input data that can be obtained from simple fragmentation tests, and that the procedure is computationally efficient enabling application to large scale industrial structures. The EAC theory is discussed, together with the required material model parameters. A series of dynamic axial and oblique impact tests and simulations of cylindrical continuous carbon fibre reinforced composite tubes have been performed to validate the approach. Furthermore, the application to more complex load cases including combinations of fragmentation and global structural fracture have also shown a good correlation with test results.     

Flexural and impact response of woven glass fiber fabric/polypropylene composites

Impact tests with a falling dart and flexural measurements were carried out on polypropylene based laminates reinforced with glass fibers fabrics. Research has shown that the strong fiber/matrix interface obtained through the use of a compatibilizer increased the mechanical performance of such composite systems. The improved adhesion between fibers and matrix weakly affects the flexural modulus but strongly influences the ultimate properties of the investigated woven fabric composites. In fact, bending tests have shown a clear improvement in the flexural strength for the compatibilized systems, in particular when a high viscosity/high crystallinity polypropylene was used. On the contrary, the low velocity impact tests indicated an opposite dependence on the interface strength, and higher energy absorption in not compatibilized composites was detected. This result has been explained in terms of failure mechanisms at the fiber/matrix interface, which are able to dissipate large amounts of energy through friction phenomena. Pull-out of fibers from the polypropylene matrices have been evidenced by the morphological analysis of fracture surfaces after failure and takes place before the fibers breakage, as confirmed by the evaluation of the ductility index.     

Lignocellulosic fibre mediated rubber composites: An overview

The rising concern towards the reduction in the use of petroleum-based, non-renewable resources and the need for more versatile polymer-based composite materials have led to increasing interests on natural polymer composites filled with natural organic fillers, i.e. coming from renewable and biodegradable sources. This paper reviews wood flour and other lignocellulosic fibres filled rubber composites, including cellulosic rubber composites, cellulosic thermoplastic elastomers, nanocellulose based rubber nanocomposites, with the aims at providing the most state of the art information for directing further scientific research, possible commercialization and design of cellulosic rubber composites. It has been found that 1) the surface properties of natural cellulose, hence the compatibility and interface of the natural cellulose and matrix rubber/plastics, are crucial for the successful development of the composites, such, physical and chemical modification and additives have been widely attempted to improve the incompatibility and poor interfacial adhesion between the filler and matrix; 2) the curing characteristics, mechanical properties, thermal stability and morphologies of the composites are complex but closely related to not only the interfacial properties, but also the compositions (e.g. the concentration of cellulosic materials) and other processing parameters; 3) the nature of hydrophilic cellulosic and hydrophobic matrix rubber and/or plastics requires an accurate introduction of coupling agent, one end of its structure shall be compatible to hydrophilic and the other to hydrophobic. The reviews on the main paths and results of study on the advanced nanocellulose reinforced rubber nanocomposites and sandwiches indicate much potentials and needs for further in-depth studies.     

Tensile and flexural properties of snake grass natural fiber reinforced isophthallic polyester composites

Natural fiber composite materials are one such capable material which replaces the conventional and synthetic materials for the practical applications where we require less weight and energy conservation. The present paper, which emphasis the importance of the newly identified snake grass fibers which are extracted from snake grass plants by manual process. In this paper, the tensile properties of the snake grass fiber are studied and compared with the traditionally available other natural fibers. The mixed chopped snake grass fiber reinforced composite is prepared by using the isophthallic polyester resin and the detailed preparation methodology is presented. Fiber pull-outs on the fractured specimen during the physical testing of the composites are also investigated. The experimental evidence also shows that the volume fraction increases the tensile, flexural strength and modulus of the snake grass fiber reinforce composite.     

Porous polyurethane composites with natural fibres

In the work the methodology and results of the investigations that concern rigid polyurethane foams modified with natural fibres and oil-based polyol are presented. The goal of the investigations was to obtain the cellular, polyurethane composites with the heat insulating and mechanical properties similar or better as in the case of the reference material. The obtained polyurethane composites had apparent densities about 40 kg/m³. The modified composites contained the considerable part of biodegradable components on the base of renewable raw materials. The influence of the rapeseed oil-based polyol, flax and hemp fibres of different length on the cell structure, closed cells content, apparent density, thermal conductivity and compression strength of the rigid polyurethane composites are analyzed. In the case of application of fibre in the amount of 5% php (per hundred polyols) the foam composites with the highest values of compressive strength and the lowest thermal conductivity were obtained.     

Preparation,crystallization and hydrolytic degradation of biodegradable poly(l-lactide)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes nanocomposite

Biodegradable poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanocomposite was prepared via solution casting method for the first time in this work. Scanning electron microscopy observation indicates that POSS were homogeneously dispersed in the PLLA matrix. Effect of POSS on the crystal structure, crystallization kinetics, dynamical properties, and hydrolytic degradation of PLLA in the nanocomposite was investigated in detail. It is found that the presence of POSS has enhanced significantly the crystallization rate, improved mechanical properties and accelerated the hydrolytic degradation of PLLA in the nanocomposite with respect to neat PLLA.     

Rheological and mechanical properties of surface modified multi-walled carbon nanotube-filled PET composite

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were prepared by in situ polymerization. To improve the dispersion of MWCNTs in PET matrix, the surface modified MWCNTs having acid groups (acid-MWCNT) and diamine groups (diamine-MWCNT) were used. The functional groups on the surface of modified MWCNTs were confirmed by infrared (IR) spectrometry. SEM analysis showed better dispersion of diamine-MWCNTs as compared to pristine-MWCNTs and acid-MWCNTs in the PET. The reaction between PET and diamine-MWCNTs was evidenced by the shifting of the G band to a higher frequency in Raman spectroscopy and an increase of the complex viscosity in rheological properties. The composites containing functionalized MWCNTs showed a large increase in the tensile strength and modulus. The PET/diamine-MWCNT composites showed maximum tensile strength and modulus increases by 350% and 290% at 0.5 and 2.0 wt%, respectively, as compared to pure PET.