Effects of Bagasse Fiber on Crystallization, Morphological and Mechanical Properties of Poly(Lactic acid)

2012 ◽  
Vol 602-604 ◽  
pp. 708-711
Author(s):  
Jun Cai ◽  
Nan Shi ◽  
Qiang Dou

Polylactic acid (PLA)/bagasse fiber (BF) composites were prepared via melt blending. The melting and crystallization behavior, morphology and mechanical properties of the composites were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical tests. The results indicate that the crystallization ability of PLA is improved with the addition of BF. Silane treatment improves the adhesion between BF and the matrix. Compared with pure PLA, the flexural modulus increases, while the notched impact strength decreases for BF/PLA composites.

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 753-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-yuan Chen ◽  
Wei Zou ◽  
Hai-chen Zhang ◽  
Gui-zhen Zhang ◽  
Zhi-tao Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/polypropylene (PP) blends with different weight fractions were prepared by a novel vane extruder. The mechanical properties, morphology, crystallization behavior and thermal stability of the blends were investigated. The tensile strength, flexural strength and elongation at break decreased nonlinearly when the PP content was not more than 50 wt% and then increased with an increase in the PP content. The flexural modulus decreased with increasing PP weight fraction. The PLA/PP 90:10 blend exhibited the optimum impact strength. Scanning electron microscopy measurements revealed that the PLA/PP blends were immiscible. Phase separation occurred significantly at a blend ratio of 50:50. Regarding the PLA/PP 90:10 blend, the mean diameter of the disperse-phase PP particles was the smallest at 1.11 μm. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed that low content of PP enhanced the crystallization of PLA. The PLA component in the blends impeded the crystallization of PP when PP was used as the matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis measurement involved a two-step decomposition process of the blends. The thermal resistance of the blends was improved by compounding with PP. As compatibilizers, both the maleic anhydride-grafted PP and the ethylene/n-butyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer helped improve the mechanical properties, crystallization property and thermal resistance of the PLA/PP blends.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 739-751
Author(s):  
Watcharin SITTICHAROEN ◽  
Supachai AUKARANARAKUL ◽  
Kitti KANTALUE

Thermal and mechanical properties of neat linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) hybrid biocomposite with sugarcane bagasse and eggshell as a reinforcing filler were investigated. Hybrid biocomposites with sugarcane bagasse/eggshell was varied in the range of 6/4, 12/8, 17/13, 20/20, 13/17, 8/12, and 4/6 wt.%, were prepared and examined. The sugarcane bagasse fiber (Sb) was surface-treated using a silane coupling agent (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate) and eggshell (Es) was treated using titanium (IV) isopropoxide. The results showed that high calcium oxide content was 99 % by weight in eggshell and silicon dioxide content was 50 % by weight in sugarcane bagasse. The tensile and flexural modulus and hardness of the composites with treated Sb/Es were higher than that of the untreated. These values of the LLDPE/Sb/Es composites increased with Sb/Es content. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show interesting trends in term of the influence of Sb/Es content, both with untreated and treated Sb/Es on the crystallization behavior of the composites but the melting and cold crystallization temperature of its composites did not obviously change. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated their thermal stability of the composites, both untreated and surface-treated Sb/Es were lower than that of neat LLDPE. The sample molded from the biocomposite with surface-treated Sb/Es particles showed better dispersion of the materials inside.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuming Wang ◽  
Lihong Cheng ◽  
Xiaoqian Cui ◽  
Weihong Guo

Glass fiber with different content and different kinds of compatibilizers were used to prepare glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (GFRP) composites. β-nucleating agent with different content was used to prepare β-polypropylene (PP), after which the toughness, crystallization ability and heat resistance were all enhanced. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) showed that the crystallite degree and crystallization ability were all greatly improved and β-PP was in dominant position. At last, both β-nucleating agent and glass fiber were used to modify the PP composites (β-GFRP). The formation of β-form PP made the matrix softer, which was beneficial for energy absorption and enhancement of toughness. The tensile strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus were improved dramatically, which were attributed to the coeffect of framework structure of GF and β-form PP.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1602
Author(s):  
Ju Heon Lee ◽  
Dong Hwi Kim ◽  
Youngjae Ryu ◽  
Kwan Hoon Kim ◽  
Seong Ho Jeong ◽  
...  

Sesame oil cakes (SOC) produced during sesame oil production can be classified as plant residues. This study aims to use SOC as a composite material for injection molding. A biocomposite containing polypropylene (PP) and SOC, namely PP/SOC, was developed and its mechanical properties were evaluated. PP/SOC is largely divided into Homo-PP/SOC (HPS) based on Homo-PP and Block-PP/SOC (BPS) based on block-PP. The specimens containing 0–50 wt% SOC were prepared through extrusion and injection molding. As a result of the evaluation, SOC acted as a reinforcement in the matrix, and HPS and BPS showed improved flexural modulus by 36.4% and 37.3% compared to the neat PP, respectively. Tensile strength, on the other hand, decreased by 58% and 55.1%, respectively. To analyze the cause of this, cross-section observation was conducted through scanning electron microscope (SEM), and phase separation and voids were confirmed to be the cause of this. Impact strength of PP/SOC tended to vary depending on the type of matrix. HPS increased by 30.9% compared to neat PP, and BPS decreased by 25%. This tendency difference appears to be the result of SOC inhibiting crystallization of PP, and it has been confirmed through x ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Moreover, PP/SOC can be manufactured at a low cost and is environmentally friendly because it utilizes SOC, a plant residue. It can also be applied to commercial products, such as food packaging, owing to its good moldability and improved mechanical properties.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingmei Xie ◽  
Hiroki Kurita ◽  
Ryugo Ishigami ◽  
Fumio Narita

Epoxy resins are a widely used common polymer due to their excellent mechanical properties. On the other hand, cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is one of the new generation of fibers, and recent test results show that CNF reinforced polymers have high mechanical properties. It has also been reported that an extremely low CNF addition increases the mechanical properties of the matrix resin. In this study, we prepared extremely-low CNF (~1 wt.%) reinforced epoxy resin matrix (epoxy-CNF) composites, and tried to understand the strengthening mechanism of the epoxy-CNF composite through the three-point flexural test, finite element analysis (FEA), and discussion based on organic chemistry. The flexural modulus and strength were significantly increased by the extremely low CNF addition (less than 0.2 wt.%), although the theories for short-fiber-reinforced composites cannot explain the strengthening mechanism of the epoxy-CNF composite. Hence, we propose the possibility that CNF behaves as an auxiliary agent to enhance the structure of the epoxy molecule, and not as a reinforcing fiber in the epoxy resin matrix.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahim Eqra ◽  
Kamal Janghorban ◽  
Habib Daneshmanesh

Abstract Because of extraordinary physical, chemical and mechanical properties, graphene nanosheets (GNS) are suitable fillers for optimizing the properties of different polymers. In this research, the effect of GNS content (up to 1 wt.%) on tensile and flexural properties, morphology of fracture surface, and toughening mechanism of epoxy were investigated. Results of mechanical tests showed a peak for tensile and flexural strength of samples with 0.1 wt.% GNS such that the tensile and flexural strength improved by 13% and 3.3%, respectively. The Young’s modulus and flexural modulus increased linearly with GNS content, although the behavior of the Young’s modulus was more remarkable. Morphological investigations confirmed this behavior because the GNS dispersion in the epoxy matrix was uniform at lower contents and agglomerated at higher contents. Finally, microscopical observation showed that the major toughening mechanism of graphene-epoxy nanocomposites was crack path deflection, which changed the mirror fracture surface of the pure epoxy to rough surface.


2021 ◽  
Vol 891 ◽  
pp. 150-163
Author(s):  
Jorge Mauricio Fuentes ◽  
Omar Flor Unda ◽  
Santiago Ferrandiz ◽  
Franyelit Suarez

In this article presents evidence about performance of mechanical properties of polycarbonate and nylon materials, which are used in the additive manufacturing by deposition of molten material and that have been subjected to sterilization processes by moist heat at 121°C and dry heat at 140°C. This study provides useful information to consider the use of these materials in sanitary and sterile settings. Mechanical tests of tensile, flex, hardness, Izod impact, thermal tests in Differential Scanning Calorimetry DSC, Thermomechanical analysis TMA and Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM were performed. It is concluded that the mechanical and thermal properties have not been altered through the effect of temperature in sterilization processes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycja Bazan ◽  
Stanisław Kuciel ◽  
Mariola Sądej

The work has evaluated the possibility of the potential reinforcing of poly(oxymethylene) (POM) by basalt fibers (BFs) and influence of BFs addition on thermal properties. Two types of composites were produced by injection molding. There were 20 and 40 wt% long BFs content with an average length of 1 mm. The samples were made without using a compatibilizer. In the experimental part, the basic mechanical properties (tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, strain at break, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and deflection at 3.5% strain) of composites based on POM were determined. Tensile properties were also evaluated at three temperatures −20°C, 20°C, and 80°C. The density and Charpy impact of the produced composites were also examined. The influence of water absorption on mechanical properties was investigated. Thermal properties were conducted by the differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and fourier transform infrared (FTIR)-attenuation total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy analysis. In order to make reference to the effects of reinforcement and determine the structure characteristics, scanning electron microscopy images were taken. The addition of 20 and 40 wt% by weight of fibers increases the strength and the stiffness of such composites by more than 30–70% in the range scale of temperature. Manufactured composites show higher thermal and dimensional stability in relation to neat POM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catur Pramono ◽  
Sri Widodo ◽  
Muhammad Galih Ardiyanto

Composite is a material consisting of two or more components which have characteristics mild and relatively strong. This study used bagasse fiber which is widely produced in sugar industry. Treatment of bagasse fiber by soaked in alkaline solution (NaOH) for 2 hours to remove the cork / wax attached to the fiber. Manufacture of composite by hand lay up. The matrix used in this study is epoxy. The fraction volume of composite between bagasse fiber and epoxy are 4%: 96%, 8%: 92% and 12%: 88%. The mechanical properties tested is tensile strength. The tensile test refers to ASTM D638 type 4. The highest tensile test composite resulted at the fraction volume composite of bagasse fiber with epoxy 12%: 88% i.e. 28.43 MPa.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
A I. Alateyah ◽  
F H. Latief

Polypropylene/exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets composites reinforced with a low concentration of nano-magnesia have been successfully fabricated, using injection molding machine. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites were investigated, in the present study. The XRD patterns of the composites showed the peaks of xGnP and n-MgO, where the intensity of the xGnP peaks became stronger with increasing the concentration of xGnP added into polypropylene matrix. In addition, the SEM micrographs revealed a good dispersion of fillers within the matrix. The results showed that increasing the amount of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets up to 10 wt. % resulted in increasing the composite flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness up to 35% and 91%, 6.7%, respectively, compared to the monolithic polypropylene.  


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