Abstract
The aim of the present study is to investigate the inclusion geometry and concentration effect on the quasi-static properties of a starch-epoxy hybrid matrix composite. The composites investigated consisted of a starch-epoxy hybrid matrix reinforced with four different glass inclusions such as 3 mm long chopped strands, 0.2 mm long short glass fibers, glass beads (120 μm in diameter) and glass bubbles (65 μm in diameter) at different concentrations. The flexural modulus and the strength of all materials tested were determined using three-point bending tests. The Property Prediction Model (PPM) was applied to predict the experimental findings. The model predicted remarkably well the mechanical behavior of all the materials manufactured and tested. The maximum value of the flexural modulus in the case of the 3 mm long chopped strands was found to be 75% greater than the modulus of the hybrid matrix. Furthermore, adding glass beads in the hybrid matrix led to a simultaneous increase in both the flexural modulus and the strength.
Highlights
Progress in the science and technology of polymers has permitted the extended use and production of polymers and especially of composite materials
In all cases, the Property Prediction Model (PPM) model developed by the third author was applied for the prediction of the modulus and strength variation with the filler-volume fraction
A constant increase in the flexural modulus with the filler content for the composites reinforced with glass spheres and glass fibers was observed, while a small decrease in the glass bubble filled composites was found and this was in accordance with similar findings in the literature
Summary
Progress in the science and technology of polymers has permitted the extended use and production of polymers and especially of composite materials Issues such as recycling and degradation require further improvements; a further investigation of the materials from natural resources has been suggested. Another area of application for modified starch polymers is in the transportation sector [1] As far as this area is concerned, the advantages of starch include a lower rolling resistance, noise reduction, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and reduced manufacturing energy requirements. Because of their relatively low cost, polymers based on starch are an attractive alternative to polymers based on petrochemicals. Bulatovic et al [6] manufactured polylactic acid (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) polymer blends with compositional variations, while Bai et al [7] manufactured Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/TPS blends and both concluded that besides being an environmentally friendly material, the addition of TPS reduces the material’s cost significantly
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