A comparison of the mechanical characteristics of kenaf and lyocell fibre reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) composites

Cellulose fibre-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) composites have become increasingly interesting with regard to their biodegradability and mechanical characteristics. The use of different matrices leads to variable composite characteristics. This study provides a comparison of the mechanical characteristics of compression-moulded 30 mass% lyocell and 40 mass% kenaf fibre-reinforced PLA and PHB. The results of the tensile tests showed that 30 mass% lyocell/PLA composites reached the highest tensile and bending strength with 89 and 148 N/mm², respectively. The highest Young’s modulus was also measured for 30 mass% lyocell/PLA with 9.3 GPa, and the highest flexural modulus was measured for 40 mass% kenaf/PHB with 7.1 GPa. By far, the best impact strength was determined for lyocell/PHB with 70 kJ/m², followed by lyocell/PLA with 52 kJ/m². The investigation of the Shore D hardness resulted in a higher value for the PLA matrix with 81.5. PHB achieved a hardness of 67.5. By adding fibres as reinforcement, the Shore D hardness increased up to 83.6 for lyocell/PLA and 73.1 for kenaf/PHB. Density measurements showed lower densities for the composites with higher fibre loads (kenaf/PLA and kenaf/PHB) in comparison to the theoretical density. This speaks for a higher proportion of air inclusion in the composites which could negatively affect the mechanical composite characteristics.     

Silicon carbide (NicalonTM) fibre-reinforced borosilicate glass composites: mechanical properties

The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of an extrinsic carbon coating to tailor the interface in a unidirectional NicalonTM–borosilicate glass composite for maximum strength. Three unidirectional NicalonTM fibre-reinforced borosilicate glass composites were fabricated with different interfaces by using (1) uncoated (2) 25 nm thick carbon-coated and (3) 140 nm thick carbon coated Nicalon fibres. The tensile behaviours of the three systems differed significantly. Damage developments during tensile loading were recorded by a replica technique. Fibre–matrix interfacial frictional stresses were measured. A shear lag model was used to quantitatively relate the interfacial properties, damage and elastic modulus. Tensile specimen design was varied to obtain desirable failure mode. Tensile strengths of NicalonTM fibres in all three types of composites were measured by the fracture mirror method. Weibull analysis of the fibre strength data was performed. Fibre strength data obtained from the fracture mirror method were compared with strength data obtained by single fibre tensile testing of as-received fibres and fibres extracted from the composites. The fibre strength data were used in various composite strength models to predict strengths. Nicalon–borosilicate glass composites with ultimate tensile strength values as high as 585 MPa were produced using extrinsic carbon coatings on the fibres. Fibre strength measurements indicated fibre strength degradation during processing. Fracture mirror analysis gave higher fibre strengths than extracted single fibre tensile testing for all three types of composites. The fibre bundle model gave reasonable composite ultimate tensile strength predictions using fracture mirror based fibre strength data. Characterization and analysis suggest that the full reinforcing potential of the fibres was not realized and the composite strength can be further increased by optimizing the fibre coating thickness and processing parameters. The use of microcrack density measurements, indentation–frictional stress measurements and shear lag modelling have been demonstrated for assessing whether the full reinforcing and toughening potential of the fibres has been realized. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Natural and man-made cellulose fibre-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites: An overview about mechanical characteristics and application areas

The paper describes the production and the mechanical characteristics of composites made completely of renewable raw materials. Composites of different kinds of natural fibres like cotton, hemp, kenaf and man-made cellulose fibres (Lyocell) with various characteristics were processed with a fibre mass proportion of 40% and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by compression moulding. Additionally, composites were made of fibre mixtures (hemp/kenaf, hemp/Lyocell). The composites were tested for tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus and Charpy impact strength. Their characteristics varied markedly depending on the characteristics of the raw fibres and fibre bundles and fibre mixtures used. While kenaf and hemp/PLA composites showed very high tensile strength and Young’s modulus values, cotton/PLA showed good impact characteristics. Lyocell/PLA composites combined both, high tensile strength and Young’s modulus with high impact strength. Thus, the composites could be applied in various fields, each meeting different requirements.     

Jute/polypropylene composites I. Effect of matrix modification

Natural fibre-reinforced polymers can exhibit very different mechanical performances and environmental aging resistances depending on their interphase properties, but most studies have been focused on fibre surface treatment. Here, investigations of the effect of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAHgPP) coupling agents on the properties of jute fibre/polypropylene (PP) composites have been considered with two kinds of matrices (PP1 and PP2). Both mechanical behaviour of random short fibre composites and micro-mechanical properties of single fibre model composites were examined. Taking into account interfacial properties, a modified rule of mixture (ROM) theory is formulated which fits well to the experimental results. The addition of 2 wt% MAHgPP to polypropylene matrices can significantly improve the adhesion strength with jute fibres and in turn the mechanical properties of composites. We found that the intrinsic tensile properties of jute fibre are proportional to the fibre’s cross-sectional area, which is associated with its perfect circle shape, suggesting the jute fibre’s special statistical tensile properties. We also characterised the hydrophilic character of natural fibres and, moreover, humidity environmental aging effects. The theoretical results are found to coincide fairly well with the experimental data and the major reason of composite tensile strength increase in humidity aging conditions can be attributed to both improved polymer–matrix and interfacial adhesion strength.     

Evaluation of PLA–lignin bioplastics properties before and after accelerated weathering

Two types of lignin obtained from softwood (LB) and hardwood (LO) were employed for manufacturing polylactic acid (PLA) – based composites. The morphological changes, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as water uptake of composites were evaluated before and after accelerated weathering. The chemical structure of lignin has an important influence on the composite properties. The addition of lignins to PLA matrix determined an increase of the impact strength and thermal stability of PLA, a good adhesion being observed in SEM micrographs. After accelerated weathering, tensile and impact strength decreased for all samples, but slightly for PLA/lignin composites, while all composites recorded an increase of water sorption capacity, especially for PLA/LB material. The free surface energy increased after weathering for all materials. The obtained results offer an opportunity to design environmentally friendly materials containing lignin that present higher values than the raw material itself.     

粘胶纤维与Lyocell纤维增强聚乳酸复合材料的性能比较

以聚乳酸(PLA)为基体,分别采用粘胶纤维与Lyocell纤维这2种典型的再生纤维素纤维为增强纤维,通过熔融共混和注塑成型制备了再生纤维素纤维/PLA复合材料,并对这2种复合材料的性能进行了比较研究。结果表明,采用粘胶纤维或Lyocell纤维增强均可有效提高PLA复合材料的结晶度、力学性能和维卡软化温度。粘胶纤维的锯齿形截面有利于其与PLA基体的结合,因此粘胶纤维/PLA复合材料具有略高的冲击强度及拉伸强度。Lyocell纤维增强更有利于复合材料结晶度的提高,使得Lyocell/PLA复合材料具有更高的弹性模量和维卡软化温度。     

Procedural influences on compression and injection moulded cellulose fibre-reinforced polylactide (PLA) composites: Influence of fibre loading,fibre length,fibre orientation and voids

The influence of fibre loading (20, 30, 40 mass%), fibre fineness, and the processing procedure (compression moulding – CM and injection moulding – IM) on the tensile and impact strength of lyocell/PLA composites was examined. The results revealed a significantly higher tensile and impact strength for CM composites compared to IM composites. An increase in strength up to a fibre loading of 40% was determined for CM composites, while for IM composites the highest values were measured at a fibre loading of 30%. Composites were investigated for their void content, fibre orientation, fibre length and process-induced fibre damage. A better fibre/matrix adhesion and compaction of IM composites was found while fibre orientation as well as mechanical properties of extracted fibres show no significant differences between CM and IM composites. The different mechanical characteristics of CM and IM samples are attributed predominantly to the fibre aspect ratio and the distribution of voids.     

Effect of coupling agents on reinforcing potential of recycled carbon fibre for polypropylene composite

Polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with recycled carbon fibre have been prepared through extrusion compounding and injection moulding. The reinforcing potential of the recycled fibre was increased by improving the interfacial adhesion between the fibre and PP matrix and this was done by the addition of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) coupling agents. Three MAPP couplers with different molecular weights and maleic anhydride contents were considered. The effects on the mechanical properties of the composite were studied, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the fracture morphology of the tensile specimens. It was observed that with the addition of MAPP the interfacial adhesion was improved as fewer fibres were pulled-out and less debonding was seen. A microbond test was performed and a significant improvement in interfacial shear strength was measured. This resulted in composites with higher tensile and flexural strengths. The maximum strength was achieved from MAPP with the highest molecular weight. Increased modulus was also achieved with certain grades of MAPP. It was also found that the composite impact strength was improved significantly by MAPP, due to a higher compatibility between the fibre and matrix, which reduced crack initiation and propagation.     

Using synchroton radiation-based micro-computer tomography (SR μ-CT) for the measurement of fibre orientations in cellulose fibre-reinforced polylactide (PLA) composites

The present work deals with the measurement of fibre orientation angles in composites. A study by Bax and Müssig [1] investigated the mechanical properties (tensile and impact characteristics) of injection-moulded flax and Cordenka-reinforced polylactide (PLA) composites with fibre mass fractions between 10 and 30 %. Raising the fibre content from 10 to 30 % resulted in an increase in tensile characteristics, but it was noted that a reinforcement with 10 % flax fibres led to poorer tensile strength as compared to the neat PLA matrix. This behaviour was not expected and needs clarification. Therefore, test specimens with a fibre content of 10 and 30 mass % were examined for their fibre orientations and void content. For the investigations, microcomputer tomography images were created by monochromatic synchrotron radiation. Fibre orientation angles of these micrographs were determined with an adapted measuring mask of the Fibreshape software. It could be shown that the fibre orientation in the composite is dependent on the fibre mass fraction and the type of fibre. No voids were found in all the investigated composites. The average fibre orientation angle of 10 % flax/PLA showed a larger deviation from the longitudinal axis of the test specimen than the other samples, and is made primarily responsible for the lower tensile strength of this composite.     

Studies of surface-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Wood flour (WF)/polypropylene (PP) composites have been made by extrusion and hot press compression molding. The composite water uptake and flexural properties were investigated. The composite fracture surfaces were studied by SEM. WF esterified with octanoyl chloride was used in WF/PP composites to improve the composites’ water resistance. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was also studied and compared with esterification by acid chlorides. Esterification by octanoyl chloride reduced the composite water uptake. However, the C₈ chain is still not long enough to form effective entanglements with the PP matrix. So, despite enhancements in hydrophobic interactions, flexural strengths and flexural moduli decreased. MAPP (MW = 47000) polymer chains can entangle with the matrix polypropylene molecules. Therefore, when MAPP’s maleic anhydride functions esterify WF surface hydroxyls, improved water resistance and composite flexural properties were achieved. The modifier chain length is of critical importance and more important than the surface density of hydrophobic groups for improving WF–PP interfacial adhesion and composite mechanical performance.     

Novel biocomposites from poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and recycled carbon fibres

Biobased composites from recycled carbon fibre and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) were fabricated by extrusion followed by injection moulding. The mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the composites were investigated as a function of recycled carbon fibre content. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and notched impact strength as well as tensile and flexural modulus of the composites increased with increasing recycled carbon fibre content. The improvement of stiffness and toughness of composite materials is one of the important findings of this investigation. Experimental values of tensile strength and modulus were compared with parallel, series and Hirsch’s models. The morphology of the composites was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to measure the thermal properties of the composites. Recycled carbon fibre loading appreciably improved the storage modulus of PTT. Thermal stability and crystallization temperature of PTT also improved with the recycled carbon fibre content.     

Investigation of the effect of surface modifications on the mechanical properties of basalt fibre reinforced polymer composites

Unsaturated polyester-based polymer composites were developed by reinforcing basalt fabric into an unsaturated polyester matrix using the hand layup technique at room temperature. This study describes basalt fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites both with and without acid and alkali treatments of the fabrics. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of surface modifications (NaOH & H₂SO₄) on mechanical properties, including tensile, shear and impact strengths. Variations in mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, the inter-laminar shear strength and the impact strength of various specimens were calculated using a computer-assisted universal testing machine and an Izod Impact testing machine. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations of the fracture surface of the composites showed surface modifications to the fibre and improved fibre–matrix adhesion. The result of the investigation shows that the mechanical properties of basalt fibre reinforced composites are superior to glass fibre reinforced composites. This work confirms the applicability of basalt fibre as a reinforcing agent in polymer composites.     

Effects of fibre/matrix adhesion on carbon-fibre-reinforced metal laminates—II. impact behaviour

Quasi-static, low-hanging and high-velocity impact tests have been conducted in order to study the effect of fibre/matrix adhesion on the impact properties of fibre-reinforced metal laminates. Differences in fibre/matrix adhesion were achieved by using treated or untreated carbon fibres in an epoxy resin system. Chemical removal of the aluminium layers and a sectioning technique were applied to examine and characterize the impact damage in the laminates. The results show that the laminates with the weaker fibre/matrix adhesion exhibit larger damage zones, although the back face crack length and permanent indentation after impact are smaller for a given impact energy. Residual tensile strength after impact is also higher for the untreated fibre laminates due to increased fibre/matrix splitting in the composite layer.     

相容剂对长玻纤增强热塑性聚氨酯弹性体/聚乳酸复合材料性能的影响

采用熔体浸渍工艺制备长玻纤增强热塑性聚氨酯弹性体(TPU)/聚乳酸(PLA)复合材料;以苯乙烯-丙烯腈接枝甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(SAG)作为相容剂,热塑性弹性体聚氨酯作为增韧剂,聚乳酸为基体树脂,考察苯乙烯-丙烯腈接枝甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯用量对长玻璃纤维增强聚TPU/PLA复合材料性能的影响。结果表明,加入苯乙烯-丙烯腈接枝甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯能改善长玻璃纤维增强聚TPU/PLA复合材料的相容性;长玻璃纤维增强聚TPU/PLA复合材料的拉伸强度、缺口冲击强度、弯曲强度和模量等力学性能及储能模量随着苯乙烯-丙烯腈接枝甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯用量的增加呈先增加后降低的趋势,而长玻璃纤维增强聚TPU/PLA复合材料的损耗因子则随苯乙烯-丙烯腈接枝甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯含量的增加呈现降低后增加的趋势;通过复合材料的形态分析表明,加入相容剂的复合材料中玻璃纤维与基体树脂界面强度增加,且玻璃纤维表面有一层包覆的树脂基体;通过分析得出,当相容剂添加量为6%时,长玻璃纤维增强聚TPU/PLA复合材料的拉伸强度、弯曲强度和模量、缺口冲击强度等力学性能最优。     

Tensile strength of discontinuous fibre-reinforced composites

A stochastic Monte-Carlo approach, based on Eyring's chemical activation rate theory, is used to study the factors controlling the tensile strength of discontinuous fibre-reinforced composites. The model explicitly takes into account the local distribution of stress near fibre ends. Both the fibre and the matrix are allowed to break during fracture of the composite. The stress-strain curves and the modes of failure of the composite are found to be strongly dependent on the volume fraction and aspect ratio of the fibres. The importance of adhesion at the fibre/matrix interface is also studied. The results are compared with available experimental data.     

NaBF4 as a hygrothermal durability enhancer for glass fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

The long term performance of composite materials is highly desired for their expanding application range. Tuning the interphase properties has been proven to be a practical way to enhance the performance of composites. In this study, short glass fibre (GF) reinforced polypropylenes (PPs) with improved hygrothermal durability were obtained by incorporating NaBF₄ into the sizing and thus the interphases of GF/PP composites. Detailed investigations were performed on the surface properties of sized GFs and the mechanical properties of virgin and aged composites. It was found that the retention in both ultimate tensile strength and Charpy impact toughness of aged composites monotonically increased with increasing NaBF₄ content. The improvement in hygrothermal durability was related to the enhanced fibre/matrix adhesion strength induced by the presence of NaBF₄ as indentified by fracture surface analysis using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and single fibre pull-out test.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of aramid/nylon plain knitted composites

The presence of fibre/matrix interfaces strongly influences the overall mechanical properties of composites. In order to produce fully recyclable fiber reinforced composites with improved adhesion properties, polyethylene and polypropylene materials were previously used as single-polymer composite materials. In this paper, another breed of single-polymer composite material has been defined as the ‘one-unity’ composite. Polyamide materials were chosen and combined with aramid fibre in an attempt to achieve better interfacial bonding. Weft-knitting technique was used to produce textile reinforcements for aramid/nylon composite processing. Aramid/epoxy knitted composites were also fabricated to compare them with aramid/nylon thermoplastic composites. Mechanical properties of aramid/nylon and aramid/epoxy composites and their relationships to the fibre/matrix interfacial adhesion and interactions have been investigated. With the increase in processing time, tensile modulus and strength of aramid/nylon composites have increased and decreased, respectively. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopic observations clearly indicated that longer molding time has resulted in stronger adhesion property between fiber and matrix. Aramid/nylon knitted composites have revealed comparable strength property in the course direction, albeit they have inferior tensile strength in the wale direction when compared to that in aramid/epoxy composites. In aramid/nylon knitted composites, while tensile modulus exhibited an increasing trend, there were clear drops in tensile strengths with longer molding time. This indicates that there could be an optimum molding condition at which maximum tensile properties can be obtained. Aramid/nylon knitted composites exhibited relatively better interfacial bonding properties than Aramid/epoxy composites, which suffered fibre/matrix debonding.     

Theoretical modelling of tensile properties of short sisal fibre-reinforced low-density polyethylene composites

The experimentally observed tensile properties (tensile strength and modulus) of short sisal fibre-reinforced LDPE with different fibre loading have been compared with the existing theories of reinforcement. The macroscopic behaviour of fibre-filled composites is affected by fibre loading, orientation and length of the fibres in the continuous medium. The interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix also plays a major role in controlling the mechanical properties of the fibre-filled composites. In this study, a comparison is made between experimental data and different theoretical models. Composite models, such as parallel and series, Hirsch, Cox, Halpin–Tsai, modified Halpin–Tsai and modified Bowyer and Bader, have been tried to fit the experimental data. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermo-mechanical characterization of Manicaria Saccifera natural fabric reinforced poly-lactic acid composite lamina

The development and thermo-mechanical characterization of a novel green composite lamina, made of PolyLactic Acid (PLA) reinforced with a natural fabric extracted from Manicaria Saccifera palm, are presented. The composite was characterized by thermal-analysis (TGA), tensile, flexural, and izod impact tests, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). TGA analysis showed that the degradation process of the composite started earlier than that of neat PLA due to the lower thermal stability of the fabric. The mechanical tests showed that PLA properties were improved. The tensile strength, elastic modulus and impact resistance were improved by 26%, 51% and 56% respectively. Good dispersion and mechanical interlocking of PLA into the fabric were seen by SEM explaining the improvements of the mechanical properties of the composite. In summary, the good tensile properties and the excellent energy absorption capabilities of the MF/PLA composite lamina show great potential of Manicaria fabric as reinforcement in green composites.     

Non-destructive characterization of fibre-matrix adhesion in composites by vibration damping

Adhesion at the fibre-matrix interface in fibre-reinforced composites plays an important role in controlling the mechanical properties and overall performance of composites. Among the many available tests applicable to the composite interfaces, the vibration damping technique has the advantages of being non-destructive as well as highly sensitive. An optical system was set up to measure the damping tangent delta of a cantilever beam, and the damping data in glass fibre-reinforced epoxy-resin composites were correlated with transverse tensile strength which are also a qualitative measurement of adhesion at the fibre-matrix interface. Four different composite systems containing three different glass fibre surface treatments were tested and compared. Our experimental results showed an inverse relationship between damping contributed by the interface and composite transverse tensile strength. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.