Cellulose nanocrystal treatment of aligned short hemp fibre mats for reinforcement in polypropylene matrix composites

Model composites with Polypropylene (PP) as matrix and alfa fibres (cellulose-based fibres obtained from the esparto grass of the subsaarian dry regions of Tunisia) were prepared for fibre/matrix interfacial characterization studies. The matrices tested were PP and PP combined with PP modified with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA). The surface of the alfa fibres was treated by air plasma treatment. The adhesion between the untreated and treated fibres and both matrices was studied using the fragmentation test method. Composites with 10% weight of fibres were prepared by melt extrusion and injection moulding, and the specimens obtained tested for tensile properties. The fracture surfaces of the composites, obtained at low temperature, were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of a small concentration of maleic anhydride grafted to the polymer matrix was found to be of the utmost importance for the establishment of a good fibre/matrix interface. The air plasma treatment had a cleaning effect of the fibre’s surface.

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Stearic acid as coupling agent in fly ash reinforced recycled polypropylene matrix composites: Structural, mechanical, and thermal characterizations

Journal of Applied Polymer Science ◽

10.1002/app.39413 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 130 (3) ◽

pp. 1996-2004 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Shubhalakshmi Sengupta ◽

Pulakesh Maity ◽

Dipa Ray ◽

Aniruddha Mukhopadhyay

Keyword(s):

Fly Ash ◽

Stearic Acid ◽

Coupling Agent ◽

Matrix Composites ◽

Recycled Polypropylene ◽

Polypropylene Matrix

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Creep Behavior of Lignocellulosic-Fiber/Polypropylene Matrix Composites

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.730-732.295 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 730-732 ◽

pp. 295-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

José R.M. d'Almeida ◽

Anderson L.L. da Silva

Keyword(s):

Creep Behavior ◽

Polymer Matrix Composites ◽

Fiber Surface ◽

Element Model ◽

Matrix Composites ◽

Chemical Treatments ◽

Lignocellulosic Fiber ◽

Data Points ◽

Polypropylene Matrix ◽

Creep Modulus

Lignocellulosic residues obtained after the sustainable harvesting of heart of palm from pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) palms were managed to produce chopped fibers. These fibers can be used to manufacture agglomerated panels and also as reinforcement in polymer-matrix composites. Polypropylene (PP) is a convenient polymer to be loaded with these residues due to its large applications, including under-the-bonnet applications by the automotive industry. PP-pejibaye composites with 10wt% of fiber mass fraction were manufactured and their creep behavior was studied. The experimental results were suitably described analyzing the variation of the creep modulus fitting the experimental data points to the three-element model where the Kelvin-Voigt element is attached to an independent spring. The results obtained show that the incorporation of the chopped pejibaye fibers to not affect the creep performance of the composite. This behavior is very promising, since untreated fibers were used, meaning that the use of expensive and many times environmentally detrimental fiber surface chemical treatments can be avoided.

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