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Mechanical Properties of Hemp‐Fibre‐Reinforced Euphorbia Composites |
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| Authors: | Leonard Y. Mwaikambo Nick Tucker Andrew J. Clark |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Engineering Materials, University of Dar Es salaam, P. O. Box 35131, Dar Es salaam, TanzaniaDepartment of Engineering Materials, University of Dar Es salaam, P. O. Box 35131, Dar Es salaam, Tanzania. Fax: +255 22 241 0114;2. Crop and Food Research Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand;3. Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK |
| Abstract: | A composite material consisting of hydroxide‐modified hemp fibres and euphorbia resin was produced. The composites were tested in tension, short‐beam interlaminar shear stress and in impact. There was an increase in the tensile strength and modulus for resins with high‐hydroxyl‐group based composites. Similar results were obtained for interlaminar shear stress while low‐hydroxyl group euphorbia resin based composites exhibited high impact strength. The euphorbia resin with high hydroxyl content yielded composites with high stiffness. The use of euphorbia‐based resins in composite manufacture increases the value of the euphorbia oil as well as creating a new route of composite manufacturing.  |
| Keywords: | composites fibers interfaces mechanical properties resins |