Mechanical Performance and Moisture Absorption of Unidirectional Bamboo Fiber Polyester Composite

Bamboo fibers as a natural fiber offer numerous advantages such as high specific strength over synthetic fiber when used as reinforcing fiber for polymer composites. Yet the hydrophilic nature of bamboo fibers with high moisture absorption results in incompatibility in between bamboo fibers and unsaturated polyester resin. An experimental study was carried out to investigate the effects of alkali treatment of bamboo fiber on the mechanical properties and water sorption properties of polyester composite. The result revealed that, the bamboo fiber polyester composite with 5% Alkali treated bamboo fiber possesses the highest mechanical properties. Besides, Alkali treated fibers composite showed a significant reduction in moisture uptake compared to untreated fibers, where composite with 7% Alkali treated showed the lowest moisture uptake.

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Mechanical properties of coconut trunk particle/polyester composite based on alkali treatment

Advanced Composites Letters ◽

10.1177/2633366x20935891 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 2633366X2093589

Author(s):

Van-Tho Hoang ◽

Thanh-Nhut Pham ◽

Young-Jin Yum

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Surface Modification ◽

Polyester Resin ◽

Natural Fiber ◽

Alkali Treatment ◽

Unsaturated Polyester ◽

Test Results ◽

Coconut Tree ◽

Lignocellulosic Fiber ◽

Polyester Composite

Coir is a well-known natural fiber extracted from the husk of a coconut tree. In polymer composite materials, the ultimate performance of coir has been shown using surface modification methods. Among them, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a comparative and efficient solution used for surface treatment of lignocellulosic fiber. In contrast to coir, coconut timber, a hardwood that dominates the weight of the coconut tree, has not been appropriately considered for use in polymer composites. Therefore, in this article, coconut trunk particle/unsaturated polyester resin composites were experimentally investigated. As a pioneering study, a large range of NaOH concentrations from 2 wt% to 10 wt% (with an interval of 2 wt%) was utilized to treat the surface of the filler. Finally, 4 wt% alkali solution was found as the best content for surface modification based on the mechanical properties of the composite, including those determined by tensile, flexural, and impact test results.

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Evaluation of the mechanical characteristics of hygrothermally aged 2-D basalt-aramid/epoxy hybrid interply composites

Journal of Physics Conference Series ◽

10.1088/1742-6596/2070/1/012234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2070 (1) ◽

pp. 012234

Author(s):

Yogeesha Pai ◽

Dayananda Pai K ◽

M Vijaya Kini

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Moisture Absorption ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Mechanical Tests ◽

Moisture Uptake ◽

Molding Process ◽

Micro Cracks ◽

Different Types ◽

Temperature Ageing ◽

Saturation Absorption

Abstract Polymer composites used in outdoor applications are exposed to environmental factors such as temperature and moisture which may affect the mechanical performance of the composites. In this study, the influence of moisture absorption on the mechanical properties of basalt-aramid/epoxy hybrid interply composites were evaluated. Two different types hybrid interply composites were taken for the investigation namely (301 A/03 B/301 A) and (451 A/03B/451 A). Composites were prepared using compression molding process and cut specimens were subjected to three different ageing environments for 180 days. Selected ageing conditions are, (i) ambient temperature ageing (ii) Sub-zero temperature ageing (−10°C) and (iii) Humid temperature ageing (40°C and 60% Relative humidity). Mechanical tests of the aged composites were carried out to analyse the behaviour of the composites. Moisture uptake of the specimens follow Fick’s law of diffusion with saturation absorption of 5.44%, 3.12% and 1.80% for ambient, sub-zero and humid specimens respectively. Results revealed that (301 a/03 B/301 a) aged composites possess higher mechanical properties compared to (451 a/03 B/451 a) aged composites. Highest reduction in properties were observed in ambient aged specimens followed by humid and sub-zero specimens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe the damage modes of the fractured specimens. Matrix deterioration, micro cracks and fibre fracture were the major types of failures observed in aged laminates.

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Monomer Selection for In Situ Polymerization Infusion Manufacture of Natural-Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic-Matrix Marine Composites

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym12122928 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 2928

Author(s):

Yang Qin ◽

John Summerscales ◽

Jasper Graham-Jones ◽

Maozhou Meng ◽

Richard Pemberton

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Moisture Absorption ◽

Natural Fiber ◽

In Situ Polymerization ◽

Synthetic Fiber ◽

Thermoplastic Composites ◽

Processing Temperature ◽

Primary Focus ◽

The Cost

Awareness of environmental issues has led to increasing interest from composite researchers in using “greener” materials to replace synthetic fiber reinforcements and petrochemical polymer matrices. Natural fiber bio-based thermoplastic composites could be an appropriate choice with advantages including reducing environmental impacts, using renewable resources and being recyclable. The choice of polymer matrix will significantly affect the cost, manufacturing process, mechanical properties and durability of the composite system. The criteria for appropriate monomers are based on the processing temperature and viscosity, polymer mechanical properties, recyclability, etc. This review considers the selection of thermoplastic monomers suitable for in situ polymerization during resin, now monomer, infusion under flexible tooling (RIFT, now MIFT), with a primary focus on marine composite applications. Given the systems currently available, methyl methacrylate (MMA) may be the most suitable monomer, especially for marine composites. MMA has low process temperatures, a long open window for infusion, and low moisture absorption. However, end-of-life recovery may be limited to matrix depolymerization. Bio-based MMA is likely to become commercially available in a few years. Polylactide (PLA) is an alternative infusible monomer, but the relatively high processing temperature may require expensive consumable materials and could compromise natural fiber properties.

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Interfacial Compatibility Evaluation on the Fiber Treatment in the Typha Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites and Their Effect on the Chemical and Mechanical Properties

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym10121316 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Samsul Rizal ◽

Ikramullah ◽

Deepu Gopakumar ◽

Sulaiman Thalib ◽

Syifaul Huzni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Natural Fiber ◽

Epoxy Composite ◽

Fiber Composite ◽

Alkali Treatment ◽

Epoxy Composites ◽

Fiber Reinforced ◽

Pull Out ◽

Interfacial Compatibility

Natural fiber composites have been widely used for various applications such as automotive components, aircraft components and sports equipment. Among the natural fibers Typha spp have gained considerable attention to replace synthetic fibers due to their unique nature. The untreated and alkali-treated fibers treated in different durations were dried under the sun for 4 h prior to the fabrication of Typha fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The chemical structure and crystallinity index of composites were examined via FT-IR and XRD respectively. The tensile, flexural and impact tests were conducted to investigate the effect of the alkali treated Typha fibers on the epoxy composite. From the microscopy analysis, it was observed that the fracture mechanism of the composite was due to the fiber and matrix debonding, fiber pull out from the matrix, and fiber damage. The tensile, flexural and impact strength of the Typha fiber reinforced epoxy composite were increased after 5% alkaline immersion compared to untreated Typha fiber composite. From these results, it can be concluded that the alkali treatment on Typha fiber could improve the interfacial compatibility between epoxy resin and Typha fiber, which resulted in the better mechanical properties and made the composite more hydrophobic. So far there is no comprehensive report about Typha fiber reinforcing epoxy composite, investigating the effect of the alkali treatment duration on the interfacial compatibility, and their effect on chemical and mechanical of Typha fiber reinforced composite, which plays a vital role to provide the overall mechanical performance to the composite.

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Mechanical Property Studies on Flax Fiber Reinforced Basalt Powder Filled Polyester Composite

Current Materials Science ◽

10.2174/2666145413999201208125024 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

Author(s):

V. Arumugaprabu ◽

K.Arun Prasath ◽

S. Mangaleswaran ◽

M. Manikanda Raja ◽

R. Jegan

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Mechanical Property ◽

Natural Fiber ◽

Tensile Load ◽

Flax Fiber ◽

Flexural Properties ◽

Weight Percentage ◽

Tensile Impact ◽

Polyester Composite ◽

Additional Support

: The objective of this research is to evaluate the tensile, impact and flexural properties of flax fiber and basalt powder filled polyester composite. Flax fiber is one of the predominant reinforcement natural fiber which possess good mechanical properties and addition of basalt powder as a filler provides additional support to the composite. The Composites are prepared using flax fiber arranged in 10 layers with varying weight percentage of the basalt powder as 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 25 wt.% and 30 wt.% respectively. From the results it is inferred that the composite combination 10 Layers of flax / 5 wt.%, basalt Powder absorbs more tensile load of 145 MPa. Also, for the same combination maximum flexural strength is about 60 MPa. Interestingly in the case of impact strength more energy was absorbed by 10 layers of flax and 30 wt.% of basalt powder. In addition, the failure mechanism of the composites also discussed briefly using SEM studies.

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Factors Affecting Acoustic Properties of Natural-Fiber-Based Materials and Composites: A Review

Textiles ◽

10.3390/textiles1010005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 55-85

Author(s):

Tufail Hassan ◽

Hafsa Jamshaid ◽

Rajesh Mishra ◽

Muhammad Qamar Khan ◽

Michal Petru ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sound Absorption ◽

Natural Fiber ◽

Volume Fraction ◽

Fiber Type ◽

Alkali Treatment ◽

Acoustic Properties ◽

Synthetic Fiber ◽

Sound Insulation ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Wide Range

Recently, very rapid growth has been observed in the innovations and use of natural-fiber-based materials and composites for acoustic applications due to their environmentally friendly nature, low cost, and good acoustic absorption capability. However, there are still challenges for researchers to improve the mechanical and acoustic properties of natural fiber composites. In contrast, synthetic fiber-based composites have good mechanical properties and can be used in a wide range of structural and automotive applications. This review aims to provide a short overview of the different factors that affect the acoustic properties of natural-fiber-based materials and composites. The various factors that influence acoustic performance are fiber type, fineness, length, orientation, density, volume fraction in the composite, thickness, level of compression, and design. The details of various factors affecting the acoustic behavior of the fiber-based composites are described. Natural-fiber-based composites exhibit relatively good sound absorption capability due to their porous structure. Surface modification by alkali treatment can enhance the sound absorption performance. These materials can be used in buildings and interiors for efficient sound insulation.

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