Effects of alkali treatment and elevated temperature on the mechanical properties of bamboo fibre–polyester composites

Bamboo fibre reinforced composites are not fully utilised due to the limited understanding on their mechanical characteristics. In this paper, the effects of alkali treatment and elevated temperature on the mechanical properties of bamboo fibre reinforced polyester composites were investigated. Laminates were fabricated using untreated and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated (4–8% by weight) randomly oriented bamboo fibres and tested at room and elevated temperature (40, 80 and 120 °C). An improvement in the mechanical properties of the composites was achieved with treatment of the bamboo fibres. An NaOH concentration of 6% was found optimum and resulted in the best mechanical properties. The bending, tensile and compressive strength as well as the stiffness of this composite are 7, 10, 81, and 25%, respectively higher than the untreated composites. When tested up to 80 °C, the flexural and tensile strength are enhanced but the bending stiffness and compressive strength decreased as these latter properties are governed by the behaviour of resin. At 40 and 80 °C, the bond between the untreated fibres and polyester is comparable to that of treated fibres and polyester which resulted in almost same mechanical properties. However, a significant decrease in all mechanical properties was observed for composites tested at 120 °C.     

The mechanical properties of oxyfluorinated hybrids of glass fibre and polypropylene fibre

The mechanical properties of a low-cost system comprising orthophthalic polyester resin reinforced with hybrids of glass and polypropylene fibres were investigated. The fibres were oxyfluorinated to overcome the poor surface adhesion properties of polypropylene. Interlaminar shear tests, Izod-type impact tests and tensile tests were considered. It would be expected that increasing polypropylene fibre content corresponds with a decrease in mechanical properties due to the poor properties of polypropylene. Oxyfluorinated laminates containing approximately 25% and 50% polypropylene in the warp direction were, however, found to exhibit significant improvements in interlaminar shear strength, in peak shear stress under impact loading as well as in impact resistance over untreated glass fibre laminates. Scanning electron microscope images show that the reason for this improvement is that the interfacial bond between the polypropylene fibres and the resin is strengthened to such an extent that failure occurs within the polypropylene fibres rather than at the interface.     

Impact of electrochemical cycling on the tensile properties of carbon fibres for structural lithium-ion composite batteries

Carbon fibres are particularly well suited for use in a multifunctional lightweight design of a structural composite material able to store energy as a lithium-ion battery. The fibres will in this case act as both a high performance structural reinforcement and one of the battery electrodes. However, the electrochemical cycling consists of insertions and extractions of lithium ions in the microstructure of carbon fibres and its impact on the mechanical performance is unknown. This study investigates the changes in the tensile properties of carbon fibres after they have been subjected to a number of electrochemical cycles. Consistent carbon fibre specimens were manufactured with polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibres. Sized T800H and desized IMS65 were selected for their mechanical properties and electrochemical capacities. At the first lithiation the ultimate tensile strength of the fibres was reduced of about 20% but after the first delithiation some strength was recovered. The losses and recoveries of strength remained unchanged with the number of cycles as long as the cell capacity remained reversible. Losses in the cell capacity after 1000 cycles were measured together with smaller losses in the tensile strength of the lithiated fibres. These results show that electrochemical cycling does not degrade the tensile properties which seem to depend on the amount of lithium ions inserted and extracted. Both fibre grades exhibited the same trends of results. The tensile stiffness was not affected by the cycling. Field emission scanning electron microscope images taken after electrochemical cycling did not show any obvious damage of the outer surface of the fibres.     

Renewable biocomposites of dimer fatty acid-based polyamides with cellulose fibres: Thermal,physical and mechanical properties

Dimer fatty acid-based polyamides (DAPA) are reinforced with cellulose fibres (CF) from 5 to 20 wt.%. Thermal, morphological, dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of the corresponding biocomposites (DAPAC) are investigated. They exhibit a high increase in glass transition temperature (T_g) and a decrease in the crystallisation temperature and crystallinity degree. This can be attributed to carbonyl (DAPA) and hydroxyl (CP) groups’ interactions. These hydrogen bonds reduce the polymer mobility. For instance, the dynamic mechanical spectra of these biocomposites reveal an increase in the stiffness and higher thermal–mechanical stability. Morphological observations reveal a moderate interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix. With the increase of the fibre content, tensile tests show a high increase in Young modulus and yield stress, and a decrease of elongation at break. Predicted modulus results based on micromechanical models, Voigt and Reuss bounds and Halpin–Tsai approaches, are compared with the experimental values. They show that the Halpin–Tsai model can be used to quantify the mechanical properties for DAPA/CF biocomposites.     

Study of the tensile properties of stinging nettle fibres (Urtica dioica)

Developing new natural fibre composites is the focus of many studies today. Indeed, they are made out of renewable resources and, therefore, have a lower environmental impact in comparison to mineral fibre composites. The mechanical performances of stinging nettle fibres are measured and compared to flax and other lignocellulosic fibres. The stress/strain curve of stinging nettle fibres (Urtica dioica) shows they have a linear behaviour. The average tensile properties are a Young's modulus equal to 87 GPa, a tensile strength equal to 1594 MPa, and a strain at failure equal to 2.11%.     

甘蔗渣的碱处理对其纤维增强全降解复合材料的影响

利用压制成型的方法制备了甘蔗渣纤维增强全降解复合材料, 探讨了碱处理对材料性能的影响。结果表明, 1 %碱液处理后材料的力学性能得到了提高。碱处理后纤维的分解细化和表面优化改善了纤维/ 基材的粘结性能, 从而使材料力学性能得到提高。而且, 处理后纤维拉伸强度和长径比的增大以及纤维缺陷的降低也会增强材料性能。      

Mechanical studies of single glass fibres recycled from hydrolysis process using sub-critical water

The study reports mechanical performance of the recycled glass fibres produced from a water-based solvolysis technology, known as the hydrolysis process. The chemical reaction was carried out using sub-critical water to dissolve polyester resin and recover the glass fibres from composites. The effect of temperatures, times, catalyst and water amount on mechanical properties of the recovered glass fibres were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and time-of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) analyses were also employed to examine the fibre surface associated with the polyester resin eliminated level after the hydrolysis reaction. The results revealed that by carefully adjusting the hydrolysis parameters the tensile strength and failure strain of the recycled fibres decrease by approximately 40-70% in comparison with virgin fibres while Young’s moduli remain similar. The relationship between the hydrolysis conditions, recovered fibres and mechanical performance was discussed in this study.     

Characterization of fibre/matrix interfaces in carbon/carbon composites

The present paper proposes an approach to characterizing fibre/matrix (F/M) interface in carbon/carbon (C/C) composites with respect to both modes of loading that may be expected: opening or shearing. Push-out and tensile tests were used. The former tests involve the shearing mode whereas the latter ones involve the opening one. Push-out tests use a diamond indenter to load the fibres. The interface sliding shear stress was obtained from the load-fibre displacement curve. The tensile tests were conducted on specimens having fibres oriented at 90° with respect to loading direction in order to preferentially open the interfaces. Interface opening strength was extracted from the composite tensile stress–strain behaviour. The specimens were examined under load and after ultimate failure by optical microscopy (OM). The mechanical properties of the F/M interfaces were then discussed.     

Analysis of the tensile behaviour of viscoelastically prestressed polymeric matrix composites

A novel composite material is reported, in which tension, applied to polymeric fibres, is released prior to moulding them into a matrix. Following matrix solidification, compressive stresses imparted by the viscoelastically strained fibres impede crack propagation. Previous Charpy impact studies had demonstrated that these viscoelastically prestressed composites could absorb typically 25–30% more energy than control (unstressed) counterparts and the current study focuses on their tensile behaviour as a function of fibre volume fraction, V_f. Tensile testing was performed on continuous unidirectional nylon 6,6 fibre–epoxy resin samples. Compared with control counterparts, the results showed that viscoelastic prestressing improved tensile properties, the effects being V_f-dependent. Increases in tensile strength, modulus and energy absorbed (to 0.25 strain) exceeded 15%, 30% and 40%, respectively, at an optimum V_f, this being 35–40%. Strain-to-failure was reduced by 10–20%, thereby lowering any improvement in tensile toughness (energy absorbed to fracture) to <10%. Mechanical properties of the fibres themselves were not significantly influenced by the treatment used for generating composite prestress, and we propose that the observed improvements to tensile properties may be attributed to: (i) direct contribution from compressive stress, (ii) attenuation of the dynamic overstress effect on fibre fracture and (iii) improved mechanical integrity through a more collective response from fibres to tensile loads.     

Mechanical analysis and toughening mechanisms of a multiphase recycled CFRP

The mechanical response of a recycled CFRP is investigated experimentally. A complex multiscale microstructure is revealed, with both dispersed fibres (with fractured-sections) and fibre-bundles. The specific properties of the recyclate compare favourably with those of aluminium and glass–fibre composites. Micromechanical studies show that tensile failure follows the pre-existing fractured-sections on the dispersed-fibres, while compressive failure occurs by shear-banding. Fracture toughness measurements coupled with SEM evidence how bundles considerably toughen the composite by complex failure mechanisms. This analysis can guide the optimisation of recycling processes and support the development of design methods for recycled CFRP; it also provides insight on the mechanical response of other multiphase short-fibre reinforced materials.     

Influence of artificial pre-stressing during the curing of VIRALL on its mechanical properties

A method for improving the mechanical properties of VIRALL has been proposed on the basis of the tensile behavior of Vinylon strands. The influence of artificial pre-stressing during the curing of VIRALL on its tensile properties has been experimentally investigated. It is revealed that fiber pre-stressing may lead to a dramatic increase in the elastic limit, yield strength and failure strength of VIRALL laminates. These results can be referred to the strengthening effect of Vinylon fibers and the modifications and recreations of the ply stress states in VIRALL laminates.     

Morphological,thermal and mechanical characterization of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fibres as potential reinforcement in polymer composites

Okra technical fibres are extracted from the stem of a plant of the Malvaceae family (Abelmoschus esculentus), which is originally from Egypt, but is also cropped in Southern Asia and elsewhere for nutritional purposes. Their use as potential reinforcement in polymer composites requires the understanding of their microstructure and mechanical properties. This work investigates the morphology of the technical fibres through optical and electron microscopy and their thermal behaviour through thermogravimetric analysis. Single fibre tensile tests were performed in order to obtain their mechanical properties and the results were analyzed through a two-parameter Weibull distribution. The fracture modes of okra fibres were also addressed.     

High-modulus-high-strength poly-(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) fibres

Heat-treatment processing of dry-jet wet-spun poly-(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) fibres was undertaken to enhance fibre tensile mechanical properties. The effects of fibre tension and temperature and time of heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere on fibre mechanical properties were systematically investigated. Fibres possessing a tensile modulus as high as 300 GPa along with a tensile strength of 3 GPa have been produced. To attain this level of tensile properties, heat-treatment temperatures of 630 to 680° C for residence times of under one minute were required while applying tensions approaching fibre breaking stress at the elevated temperatures; conditions bordered on fibre degradation. Fibre structural changes associated with heat treatment and enchancement of mechanical properties are discussed in Part 2 of this work.     

Microtexture and structure of boron nitride fibres by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman scattering

Continuous boron nitride fibres have been fabricated by melt spinning and pyrolysis of poly[2,4,6-tris(methylamino)borazine]. The longitudinal mechanical properties depend on mechanical stress and temperature applied during the conversion process. High-performance and low-performance fibres were characterized in order to find relationship between structure and physical properties. In all the cases, photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis proves that the chemical composition of the fibre is close to stoichiometric BN. The crystallite sizes were measured by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman techniques. Cross-sections of separated fibres were investigated by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All the BN fibres have a hexagonal turbostratic structure. With increasing stress and temperature, the tensile strength and the elastic modulus increase. In the high-performance fibres, the 002 layers with an increased distance (about 0.35 nm) showed a mean stacking sequence near to graphite and a preferred orientation of the 002 layers parallel to the fibre axis.     

高温炭化处理对三维五向碳/酚醛编织复合材料拉伸性能的影响

对未经炭化和经不同温度炭化处理后的三维五向碳/酚醛编织复合材料进行了纵向和横向拉伸实验, 获得了拉伸应力-应变曲线, 并确定了材料的拉伸强度、 拉伸模量、 破坏应变和泊松比等主要力学性能, 分析了这类材料经不同温度炭化处理后拉伸力学性能的变化规律。对试件拉伸实验后的破坏断口进行了宏观和微观分析, 探讨了材料的变形和破坏机理。实验结果表明: 随炭化处理温度的增加, 三维五向碳/酚醛编织复合材料的纵向、 横向拉伸强度和拉伸模量均呈先降后升的趋势, 存在一个转折温度, 超过该温度, 材料的拉伸强度和拉伸模量从下降变为上升, 但拉伸模量的变化幅度较小; 但是, 随着炭化温度的升高, 材料的破坏应变是逐渐降低的。通过形貌观察和树脂热分解机理分析, 认为在不同的炭化处理温度下, 材料的细观组织结构演变存在明显的差异, 因此造成了材料力学性能的变化。      

聚丙烯腈纤维热应力与碳纤维结构及性能的关联性

针对二元共聚聚丙烯腈（PAN）纤维的热应力和聚集态结构特点,借用差示扫描量热（DSC）分析、广角X射线衍射（WAXD）、红外光谱（FTIR）等表征手段研究了预处理阶段（180 ℃）纤维热应力变化与最终碳纤维结构及性能的关联性。实验结果表明：对于取向度较高,但热应力较大的二元共聚PAN纤维,在180 ℃进行适当的应力松弛处理有利于最终碳纤维力学性能的提高。进一步的分析表明,随着预处理阶段纤维热应力的降低,PAN纤维内部准晶区的取向度逐渐下降,而纤维的环化反应活化能明显降低,相对环化率逐渐增大,相应碳纤维中类石墨晶体的层间距呈现先减小后增大的趋势,类石墨晶体的堆叠厚度则是先增大后减小;与之对应的碳纤维的拉伸强度以及拉伸模量也呈现出先增大后减小的趋势。综合研究结果表明：对二元共聚PAN纤维进行适当的热应力松弛处理可有效改善最终的碳纤维结构参数,提高其力学性能。     

Oil Palm Fibre Reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde Composites: Influence of Fibre Surface Modifications on the Mechanical Performance

Oil palm fibres have been used as reinforcement in phenol formaldehyde resin. In order to improve the interfacial properties, the fibres were subjected to different chemical modifications such as mercerisation, acrylonitrile grafting, acrylation, latex coating, permanganate treatment, acetylation, and peroxide treatment. The effect of fibre coating on the interface properties has also been investigated. Morphological and structural changes of the fibres were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and IR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties of untreated and treated fibres were studied. Changes in stress–strain characteristics, tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the fibres upon various modifications were studied and compared. The incorporation of the modified fibres resulted in composites having excellent impact resistance. Fibre coating enhanced the impact strength of untreated composite by a factor of four. Tensile and flexural performance of the composites were also investigated. Finally, inorder to have an insight into the failure behaviour, the tensile and impact fracture surfaces of the composites were analysed using scanning electron microscope.     

Effect of fiber surface modification on the mechanical and water absorption characteristics of sisal/polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

Sisal fibers were subjected to various chemical and physical modifications such as mercerization, heating at 100 °C, permanganate treatment, benzoylation and silanization to improve the interfacial bonding with matrix. Composites were prepared by these fibers as reinforcement, using resin transfer molding (RTM). The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength were examined. Mercerized fiber-reinforced composites showed 36% of increase in tensile strength and 53% in Young’s modulus while the permanganate treated fiber-reinforced composites performed 25% increase in flexural strength. However, in the case of impact strength, the treatment has been found to cause a reduction. The water absorption study of these composites at different temperature revealed that it is less for the treated fiber-reinforced composites at all temperatures compared to the untreated one. SEM studies have been used to complement the results emanated from the evaluation of mechanical properties.     

Mechanical,rheological, morphological and water absorption properties of maleated polyethylene/hemp composites: Effect of ground tire rubber addition

Natural fibre composites were produced from maleated polyethylene (MAPE) and hemp fibres, while impact modification was performed via ground tire rubber (GTR) addition. Incorporation of hemp fibre increased significantly the tensile (strength and modulus) and flexural properties of the MAPE matrix. Impact strength however, decreased with increasing hemp content, but GTR addition led to a noticeable increase in impact strength (up to 50% at 10% GTR). Increase in hemp content produced also higher water uptake and longer saturation time. After ageing in water, the mechanical properties and thermal stability were unchanged for samples up to 30% hemp, but samples at higher concentrations showed some degradation.     

Effect of coupling treatment on mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose nanofibre-reinforced UPR ecocomposites

Bacterial cellulose nanofiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites (BC/UPR) were prepared using vinyl-triethoxy silane coupling modified BC fibres by the method of resin transfer molding (RTM) and subjected to mechanical tests in order to study the effect of surface treatment on the properties of composites. The results show that coupling treatment did not change the morphology of BC nanofibers, while it changed the chemical states of the BC fiber's surface. The XPS result indicates that chemical bonding was formed at the interface between UPR matrix and BC fibers after surface treatment, which enhanced the mechanical properties of composites. After treatment, tensile strength, flexure strength, shear strength and tensile modulus of the composites with a fiber volume fraction (V_f) of 10% were increased by 117.7%, 38.4%, 38.7% and 27.6%, respectively.