Abstract
The Achilles heel of thermoplastic natural fibre composites is their limited durability. The environmental degradation of the mechanical properties of hemp and hemp/basalt hybrid-reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites has been investigated with a special focus on the effects of water ageing and accelerated ageing, including hygrothermal and UV radiation. Modification of the matrix was carried out using a maleic anhydride high-density polyethylene copolymer (MAPE) as a compatibilizer. Hybridization of hemp fibres with basalt fibres and the incorporation of MAPE were found to significantly decrease the water uptake (up to 75%) and increase the retention of mechanical properties after accelerated ageing. Secondary crystallization phenomena occurring in the composites, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, were able to counteract the severe combined effects of hygrothermal stress and UV radiation, with the exception of hemp-fibre composites where permanent damage to the fibres occurred, with 2% and 20% reduction in tensile strength and modulus, respectively, for a 30 wt % hemp fibre-reinforced HDPE.
Highlights
IntroductionEconomy [1], which can be thought of as a new industrial economy, meant to be restorative or regenerative by design [2]
Over the last years, an increasing interest in producing composite materials from bio-sourced, recycled materials and their combinations has been triggered by the relatively new concept of CircularEconomy [1], which can be thought of as a new industrial economy, meant to be restorative or regenerative by design [2]
This study investigated prolonged moisture absorption and accelerated ageing of short hemp fibre and hemp/basalt hybrid-reinforced thermoplastic composites to assess their durability
Summary
Economy [1], which can be thought of as a new industrial economy, meant to be restorative or regenerative by design [2] This new paradigm is usually linked and confused with sustainable development [2], and its successful implementation is envisaged to be the solution that will allow for a reduction of environmental pollution and the creation of a closed loop for the products’ lifecycle [3]. These concerns are worrying for composite materials, which exhibit desirable properties through the combination of two or more individual components, but are inherently difficult to recycle and mostly disposed of in landfills at the end of their lives. This behaviour is ascribed to the fact that water molecules can have physical and chemical effects, on the polymer matrices and on the inherently hydrophilic fibres and fibre/matrix interface [12]
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