Synthesis and Characterization of Pine Needles Reinforced RF Matrix Based Biocomposites

A S Singha,Vijay Kumar Thakur

doi:10.1155/2008/395827

Abstract

Synthesis and characterization of pine needles reinforced thermosetting resin (Resorcinol-Formaldehyde) which is most suitable as composite matrix has been reported. The polycondensation reaction between resorcinol and formaldehyde (RF) in different molar ratios has been applied to the synthesis of RF polymer matrix. A thermosetting resin based composite, containing approximately 10, 20, 30 and 40% of natural fiber by weight, has been obtained by adding pine needles to the Resorcinol-Formaldehyde (RF) resin. The mechanical properties of randomly oriented intimately mixed particle reinforced (Pine needles) composites were determined. Effect of fiber loading in terms of weight % on mechanical properties such as tensile, compressive, and flexural and wear properties have also been evaluated. The reinforcing of the resin with Pine needles was accomplished in particle size of 200 micron by employing optimized resin. Present work reveals that mechanical properties of the RF resin increases to extensive extent when reinforced with Pine needles. Thermal (TGA/DTA) and morphological studies (SEM) of the resin, fiber and polymer composites thus synthesized have also been carried out.

Highlights

At present there is a mounting need to develop natural fiber based products[1,2]
These natural fibers obtained from various resources are able to impart the polymer composite materials with various benefits such as: no health hazards; low price, relatively high specific strength, low density; light weight, less machine wear than that produced by mineral reinforcements; and a high degree of flexibility as compared to their synthetic counterparts[7,8,9,10]
In the present communication we have reported the fabrication of pine needles reinforced, Resorcinolformaldehyde (R-F) based polymer biocomposites

Summary

Introduction

At present there is a mounting need to develop natural fiber based products[1,2]. In the last few years, the production of polymeric material from renewable resources such as natural fibers has been a topic of major research efforts due to the increasing environmental awareness throughout the world[3,4,5,6]. Polymer composite are materials made by embedding fibers in a polymeric matrix material to improve its mechanical, thermomechanical, electrical, and sounddamping properties, among others. Pine needles of dimension (200 micron) after proper purification and drying were thoroughly mixed with Resorcinol-formaldehyde resin by different fiber loadings (10, 20, 30 and 40%) in terms of weight. Compression strength test was conducted in accordance with ASTM D 3410 method.

Results

Conclusion