Abstract
The aim of this work is to investigate the fracture toughness and deformation of silk fiber (SF)-reinforced zeolite (Z)/high density polyathylene (HDPE) composites. The chopped SFs are arranged in the thickness middle of the dry mixture of Z/HDPE powder that has been prepared in a mold. Composites were produced by the compression molding to produce double-edge notch tensile (DENT). The fracture toughness characterization was carried out based on essential work of fracture method. The results show that the presence of SF increased the essential fracture work even though the non-essential fracture work for Z/HDPE was higher than S-Z/HDPE. The evolution of plastic zone growth coincides with the growth of the fracture process zone (FPZ) whose height has no effect on energy consumption.
Highlights
In recent years, researchers have turned their attention to the development of natural fibers as a composite reinforcement
Many studies have reported success in producing thermoplastic matrix composites that are natural fiber reinforced with the orientation of the fibers which are varied in the composites
All of the tested double-edge notch tensile (DENT) curves are of the similar shape and the peak of the curve decreases with increasing orientation angle of silk fiber (SF) (Fig. 3a)
Summary
Researchers have turned their attention to the development of natural fibers as a composite reinforcement. The mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are affected by the distribution and orientation of the added fiber. Many studies have reported success in producing thermoplastic matrix composites that are natural fiber reinforced with the orientation of the fibers which are varied in the composites. In previous studies [1,2], mechanical properties of PP/cellulose fiber composites with randomly oriented fibers have been reported. In an extrusion process in the production of PP/CLY composites, it was reported that the distribution of cellulose fibers in the PP matrix could not be controlled, likewise in an injection molding process [3,4,5,6,7]. Sample specimens consisting of chopped fibers provide better distribution especially when compression molding techniques are applied so the mechanical strength is increased [8,9,10,11]
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