Fiber Biocomposites Research Articles

Characterization of Vinyl Ester/Jute Fiber Bio-Composites in the Presence of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

In this study, vinyl ester –Jute fiber biocomposites were prepared using vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. Woven Jute fibers were used with mass fraction 0.68. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are added to the resin with weight ratio 0.5: 99.5 to investigate the thermo-mechanical properties of bio-composites. Storage and loss modulus of vinyl ester bio-composites were investigated in the presence MWCNTs over a range of temperature (25 to 160 oC) to measure the capacity of bio-composite to store and dissipate energy. Damping properties of vinyl ester bio-composites were studied in terms of tan (d). Viscoelastic test using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the glass transition temperature increases with the addition of MWCNTs up to 112.4 oC. Addition of jute fiber reinforcements improves the storage modulus value of vinyl ester more than 65% at room temperature. Significant improvement in storage modulus was found in the presence of MWCNTs.

Effect of silanized-chitosan on flammability, mechanical, water absorption and biodegradability properties of pseudo-stem banana fiber and montmorillonite filled waste polypropylene biocomposite

Growing consciousness for an eco-friendly environment has revived the interest to develop composite fibers from biobased products. In this study, flammability, mechanical, water absorption and biodegradability properties of chitosan filled biocomposite waste polypropylene (wPP) reinforced with pseudo-stem banana fiber (PBF) and montmorillonite (MMt) biocomposites has been conducted investigate. It was successfully processed in solution method. Chitosan was chemically treated with glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) to improve interfacial adhesion between chitosan and wPP. The chitosan treated with GPTMS content in the biocomposites were varied from 0 to 7% (dry wt. basis). Flammability, tensile strength and water absorption index of biocomposites were measured according to ASTM D635, ASTM D638, and ASTM D570 respectively. To study the nature of its biodegradability, the biocomposites were technically buried in garbage dump land. The results show that the addition of treated chitosan 3-GPTMS has improved thermal properties such as Time to Ignition (TTi), Burning Rate (BR), and Heat release (HR) of treated biocomposites compared with neat PP and untreated biocomposite with treated chitosan. The treated biocomposites exhibit higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus, but lower elongation at break compared with neat PP and untreated biocomposites with treated chitosan. The biocomposites show a reduction in the rate of water uptake with higher loading of CH.

In situ reactive interfacial compatibilization of polylactide/sisal fiber biocomposites via melt-blending with an epoxy-functionalized terpolymer elastomer

The in situ reactive interfacial compatibilization and properties of polylactide/sisal fiber biocomposites made via melt blending with an epoxy-functionalized terpolymer elastomer were investigated.

Effect of kenaf and EFB fiber hybridization on physical and thermo-mechanical properties of PLA biocomposites

Kenaf/empty fruit bunch/polylactic acid (kenaf/EFB/PLA) hybrid biocomposites were prepared using hot press technique. The ratio of fiber to polylactic acid was set at 60:40 with 1:1 ratio between kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibers. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid biocomposites were subsequently characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and water absorption tests. Test results indicated that mechanically stronger fiber was able to support the weaker fiber. Hybrid fiber biocomposite had higher crystallinity as compared to single fiber biocomposite. Water absorption of hybrid composite was higher as compared to single fiber composite. Thermal result revealed that hybridization of fiber was not significantly influence the thermal properties of composites. However, the presence of two different fibers proposed good wettability properties, which could reduce the formation of voids at the fibers-polymer interface and produce composites with high stiffness and strength.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of PLA Biocomposites Reinforced by Coir Fibers

In this work, polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites reinforced with short coir fibers were fabricated using a corotating twin-screw extruder and injection molding machine. Short coir fibers were treated by mixed solution including hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide to improve the adhesion between fibers and PLA matrix. The effects of treated coir fiber content (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%) on tensile, impact, thermal properties, and surface morphology of PLA biocomposites were investigated. The best impact strength results were obtained for 3 wt% PLA/treated coir fiber biocomposites, where the impact strength was increased by approximately 28% compared to the neat PLA. The tensile modulus of PLA biocomposites was increased by increasing the treated coir fiber content. These results were confirmed by morphological structure analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrated a minor effect of the treated coir fiber on thermal behavior of PLA resin. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the thermal stability of the PLA/treated coir fiber biocomposites was reduced by the incorporation of treated coir fiber.

Electrospinning of Polylactic Acid/silver nanowire biocomposites: Antibacterial and electrical resistivity studies

In this experiment direct electrospinning was used to produce Polylactic acid/silver nanowire (PLA/AgNWs) biocomposite fibers. This method engineered and produced nanofibers with core‐shell structure. Antimicrobial activity was studied using AATCC 100‐1993 test method, and electrical resistivity measurement was performed by four‐point probes. The results showed that nanofibers with core‐shell structures can be successfully produced. Results of antibacterial activity testing of nanofibers against both Staphylococcus aureus, a gram‐positive bacterium, and E. coli, a gram‐negative bacterium, indicated considerable antibacterial properties. Further, the electrical resistivity of nanofiber composites based of PLA/AgNWs was higher than that of pure PLA. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E65–E72, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

Current Progress, Trends and Challenges in the Application of Biofiber Composites by Automotive Industry

ABSTRACTThe use of biofiber, or natural fiber, composites by the U.S. automotive industry is on the rise. Biofiber composites are now being considered a meaningful alternative to glass fiber composites. This paper examines the current status of biofiber composites in the automotive sector. The investigation highlights the progress of the application of different types of non-woody and woody cellulosic fibers for designing and fabricating composite automotive components. The improvements in the processing techniques, production methods of different biofiber composites, and the potential applications of these composites in the automotive sector have been taken into consideration. The global emerging trends towards designing and deploying biofiber composite components by leading manufacturers are discussed. Further this study highlights the strengths and obstacles encountered for commercialization and adoption of biofiber composite materials. Current research priorities and global sustainability initiatives further offer insight to future trends.

English

With increase in population the market demand of the articles or the items were also increased. To feed the population different polymeric items or non biodegradable material are manufactured by industries, which decade the environment slowly-slowly. To over-come this problem the present study was done with the use of thermal waste i.e. fly ash and bio composite fiber as reinforced material with epoxy resin as matrix materials. In this study the mechanical properties such as flexural and compression of reinforced and matrix are discussed. Fabrications of different specimens of bio composite fibers are done by using hand layout method Different specimens are developed with different composition of constituent i.e. fly ash and jute fiber with resin matrix. 40 to 60% (wt % of the composite) of fly ash and 2% to 5% (wt % of the composite) of jute with matrix material for different specimen i.e. E1, E2, and E3. The mechanical properties were analysis after the testing of specimen on UTM (universal testing machine) servo hydraulic machine for compressive, tensile and flexural strength. Keywords: fly ash, epoxy resin, hand layout technique and mechanical properties.

Surface modification of oil palm fruit bunch and fibre reinforcement effect on bio-based polyester matrix composites

In this study, our focus is on the compatibility behaviour of bio-based polyester blend with the addition of surface-modified oil palm fruit bunch fibres (OPFBFs). The surface of OPFBF has been modified using alkali, silane and acetic anhydride solutions. Surface-modified fibres are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses to identify the functionality, adhesion and phase morphology. Untreated and treated fibres are incorporated in the bio-based polyester blend with about 30% of fibre content. Surface-modified fibre biocomposites exhibit improved interaction between the polymer matrix and the fibre. Oil palm fibre-reinforced biocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal, mechanical and morphological properties with incorporation of surface-treated fibre. The OPFBF also acts as a reinforcement filler and adhesion material for the polyester blend.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) and wheat straw fibers biocomposites produced by co-grinding: Processing and mechanical behavior

The main objective of this work was to explore for the first time the potential of the co-grinding process using a high-energy vibrated ball mill to prepare poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/wheat straw fibers biocomposites. Grinding conditions of virgin PHBV pellets were examined by focusing on the evolution of particle size, morphology, crystallinity, and molecular weight. Temperature and grinding duration were demonstrated to be the key parameters affecting PHBV milling. In a second step, mechanical properties of biocomposites prepared by cryo-co-grinding were discussed in relation to the processing conditions and the resulting structure of materials. Comparing to virgin PHBV, the reinforcing effect of wheat straw fibers was very poor, regardless of the good dispersion of fibers within the polymer matrix induced by co-grinding. The increased brittleness and decreased toughness of biocomposites were attributed to (a) a poor interfacial compatibility between wheat straw fibers and PHBV and (b) the degradation of PHBV during processing, as revealed by the decrease in molecular weight.

Mechanical and damage tolerance behavior of short sisal fiber reinforced recycled polypropylene biocomposites

Sisal fiber (SF) reinforced recycled polypropylene biocomposites were prepared by melt blending technique. Biocomposites prepared with the incorporation of 40 wt% untreated sisal fiber loading showed a marginal improvement in mechanical properties as compared with matrix recycled polypropylene. SF surface was mercerized and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene was used as a coupling agent for better fiber matrix interfacial bonding. Mercerized sisal fiber reinforced biocomposites prepared with compatibilizer (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene) shows significant improvement in tensile and flexural strength. Damage tolerance of recycled polypropylene matrix and its biocomposites were evaluated in monotonic and cyclic tensile test. Untreated sisal fiber reinforced biocomposites prepared with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene shows improvement in damage tolerance compared with untreated sisal fiber biocomposites. Impact fractured morphology of biocomposites revealed better interfacial bonding between fiber, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, and recycled polypropylene matrix.

Processing of PLA/sisal fiber biocomposites using direct- and extrusion-injection molding

ABSTRACTThe processing strategy adopted to develop biocomposites plays a significant role in determining their characteristics. The present experimental investigation explores the feasibility of using direct-injection molding (D-IM) process for processing of sisal fiber (3 mm and 8 mm) reinforced poly-lactic acid biocomposites with a fiber weight fraction of 30%. For a comparative analysis, mechanical and morphological behavior of biocomposites developed using D-IM process is compared with biocomposites developed using extrusion-injection molding (E-IM) process. The mechanical behavior in terms of tensile, flexural and impact properties is compared and discussed in relation to extracted fiber morphology and fiber orientation as well as dispersion within the developed biocomposites. Morphological investigation of extracted fibers revealed severe fiber attrition and fiber length variation during E-IM process as compared with D-IM process. However, short sisal fiber (3 mm) reinforced biocomposites developed using both the processes exhibit uniform fiber dispersion and orientation, resulting in comparable mechanical properties. The tensile and flexural strength of D-IM-SF biocomposites increased remarkably by 34.7% and 15.9%, respectively, as compared with D-IM-LF biocomposites. Similarly, the tensile and flexural modulus of D-IM-SF biocomposites increased significantly by 92.5% and 56.7%, respectively, as compared with D-IM-LF biocomposites. However, D-IM process incorporating long fibers exhibit better impact properties.

3D printing of wood fibre biocomposites: From mechanical to actuation functionality

Natural fibres are increasingly used as reinforcements for thermoplastic composites. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a common material extrusion process using (bio)polymers reinforced with natural fibres. However, there is a lack of understanding of the effect of printing parameters on the mechanical properties involved in this new process, and more particularly in the case of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Hygromorphic biocomposites represent a novel use of natural fibres for the production of original self-bending devices that actuate in a moisture gradient. By mimicking natural actuators and their bilayer microstructure adapted for seed dispersal, hygromorphic biocomposites take advantage of the hygro-elastic behaviour of natural fibres.The FDM of wood fibre reinforced biocomposites leads to mechanical properties that are strongly dependent on printing orientation (0 or 90°) due to fibre anisotropy. Mechanical properties depend also on printing width (overlapping of filaments), with a lower Young's modulus than in the compressed samples. Indeed, printed biocomposites have a microstructure with relatively high porosity (around 20%) that conjointly leads to damage mechanisms but also water absorption and swelling.The FDM of hygromorphic biocomposites enables a shift towards 4D printing since the material is able to evolve over time in response to an external stimulus. Typical microstructures achieved by printing could be used advantageously to produce biocomposites with a faster moisture-induced bending response compared to compressed samples.

Effect of surface treatment of jute fibers on the interfacial adhesion in poly(lactic acid)/jute fiber biocomposites

Jute fibers have immense potential to be used as natural fillers in polymeric matrices to prepare biocomposites. In the present study jute fibers were surface treated using two methods: i) alkali (NaOH) and ii) alkali followed by silane (NaOH+Silane) separately. Effects of surface treatments on jute fibers surface were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Further, the effects of surface treatments on jute fibers properties such as crystallinity index, thermal stability, and tensile properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction method (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and single fiber tensile test respectively. The effects of surface treatment of jute fibers on interphase adhesion between of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and jute fibers were analyzed by performing single fiber pull-out test and was examined in terms of interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and critical fiber length.

Evaluating mold growth in tannin-resin and flax fiber biocomposites

Flax fiber is an industrially available, renewable product with attractive technical properties for the composite industry such as density, mechanical strength and sound/heat insulation. Applications are developing quickly for biocomposites based on these fibers. However, unlike plastics, there is no standard used to assess its degree of contamination by microorganisms. Thus, the aims of this work were to detect and quantify molds in samples of nonwoven fibrous materials from industry and high resin content natural matrix-natural fiber biocomposites. In a first attempt, we tried to evaluate the fungal development on the nonwoven materials as defined in the ISO 846 standard. Despite the materials having been inoculated with molds, no fungal mycelium could be detected by this way. To validate this observation, we developed a qualitative approach based on the specific aniline blue method to stain the mycelium present in the material. This allowed us to detect the mold occurrence in the material and to evaluate the colonization extent on the nonwoven fibrous materials incubated under different conditions. The biocide efficiency of a boric acid pretreatment of flax fibers used in the manufacturing process of nonwoven fibrous materials and high resin content natural matrix-natural fiber biocomposites was determined by grading the mold development using the microscope-based method that we developed. The results showed clearly that in optimal mold growth conditions, (Aw>0.6, 26°C) the colonization of the material was hampered by the boric acid pretreatment of the flax fibers. To get semi-quantitative data of the colonization extent, we used a molecular method. DNA was extracted from the different materials and the ribosomal region of the fungal DNA was amplified by PCR allowing the detection and the quantification of fungal colonization in the biosourced material. Results confirmed the microscopy-based method. Work is currently in progress to determine risk classes of mold colonization in wood-derived and fibrous-based composite materials.

Effect of surface treatments of jute fibers on the microstructural and mechanical responses of poly(lactic acid)/jute fiber biocomposites

The effect of surface treatment of jute fibers on matrix/fiber interface adhesion in PLA/jute fiber biocomposites was explored in terms of mechanical, morphological, thermal and thermo mechanical properties.

Effects of physical treatment of hemp fibers on fiber structure and biocomposite properties

This article concerning natural cellulose fibers as reinforcement in composite materials in civil engineering. In this paper, the attention is given to industrial hemp specifically to the woody part of hemp plant called hemp hurds. The properties of natural fibers are mainly determined by the chemical and physical composition, such as structure of fibers. The objective of presented research is to characterize raw and physically treated hemp fibers using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy method. These natural fibers were used as filler into biocomposites and MgO-cement was used as alternative binder. Physico — mechanical properties (compressive strength, thermal conductivity, absorbability) of prepared composites were determined.

Effect of poly (lactic acid)‐graft‐glycidyl methacrylate as a compatibilizer on properties of poly (lactic acid)/banana fiber biocomposites

The main aim of this study was to synthesis of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)‐graft‐glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as well as its influence on the properties of PLA/banana fiber biocomposites. PLA‐graft‐GMA graft copolymer (GC) was synthesized by melt blending PLA with GMA using benzoyl peroxide and dicumyl peroxide as initiators. Graft copolymerization was confirmed by FTIR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopic studies. PLA/silane treated banana fiber (SiB) biocomposites with various GC concentrations were prepared by melt blending followed by injection molding techniques. The influence of GC content on the mechanical, thermal and moisture resistance properties of the composite was investigated. The addition of 15 wt% GC content in the biocomposite provided optimum tensile and flexural strength, which is attributed to the greater compatibility between fiber and PLA matrix. The thermal properties of biocomposites have been evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis which provided evidence of improved interfacial adhesion between SiB and PLA by the addition of GC. Additionally, GC enhanced the moisture absorption resistance of biocomposites. These results indicated that GC is indeed a good candidate as a compatibilizing agent to improve the compatibility in PLA/fiber biocomposites. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

天然树木和竹子纤维材料的力学性能及仿生研究进展

Natural bio-fiber composites have the characteristics of simple elements and sophisticated structure, superior mechanical properties of high strength, high toughness and low coefficient of friction, and are the inspirational sources for the design of new materials. Biomimetic fiber composites have been widely used in modern industry. At present, studies of learning from the natural biological material structure-functional characteristics to manufacturing biomimetic structure—Functional integration material have originated lots of results, such as imitating wood porous ceramic material, imitating shell multi-layer composite materials and imitating bone porous scaffolds, etc. However, a lot of problems still exist, such as fiber is brittle and easy to be pulled out, the size selection of the whisker is difficult, the choice of ceramic matrix composite toughening methods is difficult, etc. To guide advanced biomimetic materials designs, it is important to reveal the relationships between the distribution, angle and density of cellulose, structure and binding mode of interface and the mechanical and frictional properties of the biological fiber composites. Wood and bamboo are the most common natural biological fiber composites which have excellent mechanical properties. They have been widely used in a variety of traditional architectural and ship parts. In this manuscript, recent researches on the mechanical properties of the wood and bamboo as the typical representatives of the natural biological fiber composites have been reviewed. The biomimetic composites of natural fiber materials have been briefly summarized. This tentative review might provide a reference for the design and preparation of biomimetic high strength, wear-resistant fiber composites. Trees and bamboo with excellent tribological properties relies not only on its internal structure, but also on its biological activity. If purely from a mechanical point of view to achieve the purpose of the bionic, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory results. Modern fiber composites in the rapid development process, often there is a big fiber brittle, difficult to interface design, easy to pull the fibers lead to enhanced failure whisker size selection difficult to choose the difficulty of ceramic matrix composites toughened approach the problem. Therefore, the application of bionic fiber reinforced composites toughened functional design principle, simulate biological fiber composite materials and structures excellent interface characteristics, is expected to further address the interface of chemical and physical properties of stability and strength of fiber composites tough problem, has important academic significance and application value.

Influence of ammonium lignosulfonate on the mechanical and dimensional properties of wood fiber biocomposites reinforced with polylactic acid

In order to fabricate green composites without the emission of toxic volatile compounds, wood fiber (WF) biocomposites reinforced with polylactic acid (PLA) were prepared utilizing the traditional hot-press manufacturing process. The effect of adding ammonium lignosulfonate (AL) on the mechanical and dimensional properties of the biocomposites was investigated. When the mass ratio of WF to PLA is 7:3 and the AL mass percentage is in the range from 1 to 20wt%, the modulus of rupture of the WF/PLA/AL composites ranged from 21.95 to 36.96MPa, the modulus of elasticity ranged from 3078.6 to 4157.8MPa and the internal bonding strength ranged from 0.69 to 1.71MPa, which showed a 4.0–75.1% increase in modulus of rupture, a 3.5–39.8% increase in modulus of elasticity and a 21.5–201.2% increase in internal bonding strength compared to the corresponding WF/PLA composites due to the reinforcing effect of AL. However, AL negatively affected the dimensional properties of the biocomposites. The thickness swell of the WF/PLA/AL composites ranged from 18.7 to 43.5% and the water absorption ranged from 47.1 to 78.9%. The thickness swell, water absorption and contact angle of the WF/PLA/AL composites increased with the AL mass percentage due to its high hydrophilicity, resulting in a 1.1–132.6% and a 3.4–67.4% increase in thickness swell and water absorption, respectively. AL had a positive effect on the crystallinity of the biocomposites due to its good surface activity as long as the AL mass percentage was below 20wt%. The fractured surface of the WF/PL/AL composites clearly showed that a strong bond (mechanical interlocking and/or chemical bonding) exists at the interface resulting in an effective stress transfer.