scholarly journals Flax fiber and its composites: An overview of water and moisture absorption impact on their performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 323-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Moudood ◽  
Anisur Rahman ◽  
Andreas Öchsner ◽  
Mainul Islam ◽  
Gaston Francucci
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Absorption ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Interfacial Strength ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Flax Fiber ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Composites ◽  
Reinforced Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Synthetic Fibers ◽  
Flax Fibers

Contemporary researchers have specified that natural flax fiber is comparable with synthetic fibers due to its unique physical and mechanical characteristics which have been recognized for decades. Flax fiber-reinforced composites have the potential for wide usage in sport and maritime industries, and as automotive accessories. In addition, this composite is in the development stages for future applications in the aeronautical industry. However, designing the flax composite parts is a challenging task due to the great variability in fiber properties. This is caused by many factors, including the plant origin and growth conditions, plant age, location in the stem, fibers extraction method, and the fact that there is often a non-uniform cross section of the fibers. Furthermore, the water and moisture absorption tendency of the flax fibers and their composites and the consequent detrimental effects on their mechanical performance are also major drawbacks. Fibers may soften and swell with absorbed water molecules, which could affect the performance of this bio-composite. Flax fibers’ moisture absorption propensity may lead to a deterioration of the fiber–matrix interface, weakening the interfacial strength and ultimately degrading the quality of the composite. This review represents a brief summary of the main findings of research into flax fiber reinforced composites, focusing on the challenges of its water and moisture absorption behavior on their performance.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Sodium Acetate Treatment on the Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Dionisio Badagliacco ◽  
Vincenzo Fiore ◽  
Carmelo Sanfilippo ◽  
Antonino Valenza
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Sodium Acetate ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Flax Fiber ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Composites ◽  
Sodium Acetate Solution ◽  
Acetate Solution ◽  
Reinforced Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Flax Fibers

This paper aims to investigate the ability of an eco-friendly and cheap treatment based on sodium acetate solutions to improve the mechanical properties of flax fiber-reinforced composites. Flax fibers were treated for 5 days (i.e., 120 h) at 25 °C with mildly alkaline solutions at 5%, 10% and 20% weight content of the sodium salt. Quasi-static tensile and flexural tests, Charpy impact tests and dynamical mechanical thermal (DMTA) tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) was used to evaluate the chemical modification on the fibers surface due to the proposed treatment, whereas scanning electron microscope (SEM) and helium pycnometry were used to get useful information about the morphology of composites. It was found that the treatment with 5% solution of sodium acetate leads to the best mechanical performance and morphology of flax fiber-reinforced composites. SEM analysis confirmed these findings highlighting that composites reinforced with flax fibers treated in 5% sodium acetate solution show an improved morphology compared to the untreated ones. On the contrary, detrimental effects on the morphology as well as on the mechanical performance of composites were achieved by increasing the salt concentration of the treating solution.

scholarly journals An Innovative Treatment Based on Sodium Citrate for Improving the Mechanical Performances of Flax Fiber Reinforced Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 559
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Fiore ◽  
Dionisio Badagliacco ◽  
Carmelo Sanfilippo ◽  
Riccardo Miranda ◽  
Antonino Valenza
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Sodium Citrate ◽  
Flax Fiber ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Composites ◽  
Alkaline Solutions ◽  
Infrared Analysis ◽  
Reinforced Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Flax Fibers ◽  
Mechanical Performances

The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a cost-effective and eco-friendly treatment based on the use of sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) on the mechanical properties of flax fiber reinforced composites. To this scope, flax fibers were soaked in mildly alkaline solutions of the sodium salt at different weight concentration (i.e., 5%, 10% and 20%) for 120 h at 25 °C. The modifications on fibers surface induced by the proposed treatment were evaluated through Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), whereas scanning electron microscope (SEM) and helium pycnometer were used to obtain useful information about composites morphology. The effect of the concentration of the treating solution on the mechanical response of composites was determined through quasi-static tensile and flexural tests, Charpy impact tests and dynamical mechanical thermal (DMTA) tests. The results revealed that composites reinforced with flax fibers treated in 10% solution exhibit the best mechanical performances as well as the lowest void contents. SEM analysis supported these findings showing that, by treating fibers in solutions with concentration up to 10%, composites having better morphology can be manufactured, in comparison to untreated ones. Conversely, higher Na3C6H5O7 concentrations negatively affect both the morphology and the mechanical properties of composites.

Effects of Hydrophobic Barrier Films on the Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Composites Immersed in Water

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kececi ◽  
R. Asmatulu
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Moisture Absorption ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Composites ◽  
Reinforced Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Bending Tests ◽  
Barrier Films ◽  
Hydrophobic Barrier ◽  
Wide Range

Fiber reinforced composites are subjected to a wide range of mechanical loads and environmental conditions, such as wind, high/low temperature, moisture, UV light and aggressive solvents. Compared to other structural materials, polymers can absorb more moisture and UV light from outside environment and lose their material properties (e.g., mechanical, electrical, surface and thermal) and thus the service life. In this study, hydrophobic barrier films including polyvinylfluoride (PVF) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) were applied on the carbon, Kevlar, and glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites (laminate and sandwich structures), and then the effects of moisture absorption on those films were investigated in detail. The coupons were immersed in water for a number of days in order to determine the changes in mechanical properties of the composites. Three point bending tests were applied to the laminate composites, while four point bending tests were conducted on the Nomex sandwich structured composites. We found that moisture absorption could be eliminated by using these hydrophobic films. We found that PEEK film could be an alternative barrier film for the aircraft industry.

Hydrophobic treatment of natural fibers and their composites—A review

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 2153-2183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azam Ali ◽  
Khubab Shaker ◽  
Yasir Nawab ◽  
Madeha Jabbar ◽  
Tanveer Hussain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Moisture Absorption ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Composites ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Reinforced Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Compound Annual Growth Rate

There is a growing interest in the development of natural fiber-reinforced composites, most likely due to their wide availability, low cost, environment friendliness, and sustainability. The market size for natural fiber-reinforced composites is projected to reach $5.83 billion by 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The composite materials reinforced with wood, cotton, jute, flax or other natural fibers fall under this category. Meanwhile, some major factors limiting the large scale production of natural fiber composites include the tendency of natural fiber to absorb water, degradation by microorganisms and sunlight and ultimately low strength and service life. This paper has focused to review the different natural fiber treatments used to reduce the moisture absorption and fiber degradation. The effect of these treatments on the mechanical properties of these composites has also been summarized.

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