Sustainable Manufacture of Natural Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites with Coupling Agent in the Hardener (original) (raw)

Synthesis and Analysis of Natural Fibers Reinforcement of Synthetic Resins

Journal of Material Science & Engineering, 2016

Natural fiber Composites typically have a fiber or particle phase that is stiffer and stronger than the continuous matrix phase and serve as the principal load carrying members. The matrix acts as a load transfer medium between fibers, and in less ideal cases where the loads are complex, the matrix may even have to bear loads transverse to the fiber axis. In this research the comparative synthesis and analysis of Kenaf fiber (FRPMC1) and Polmera fibers (FRPMC2) are treated with NaOH solution and the fibers are properly reinforced with polypropylene resin and epoxy resin respectively in a matrix form to prepare hybrid composite laminates of 6 mm fiber length thereafter to with suitable specimens with ASTM D-638 and D-790 standards. The analysis was carried out by using FEA software for various loads and result factors. The surface is analyzed by SEM test with various resolutions. The matrix also serves to protect the fibers from environmental damage before, during and after composite processing. The surface is analyzed using when designed properly, the new combined material exhibits better strength than each individual material. Composites are used not only for their structural properties, but also for electrical, thermal, and eco-friendly environmental applications.

Influence of coupling agent on altering the reinforcing efficiency of natural fibre-incorporated polymers – A review

Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2020

Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites are increasingly replacing commercial composite materials. The limitations of conventional composites materials are overcome by green composites, which are easily available, more eco-friendly and less toxic. In the current scenario, green composites are emerging in the field of material science that involves improving their physical, mechanical and thermal properties. The poor interfacial adhesion and surface incompatibility between natural fibre and biodegradable polymers lead to reduced physico-mechanical properties. In order to overcome this issue, physical and chemical modification methodologies of the natural fibre and polymer matrix are employed, among which the addition of coupling agents has a critical contribution. This paper compiles several recent research works in the utilization of coupling agents such as silane, maleic anhydride, isocyanate, triazine, etc., with the various combinations of natural fibres and polymers. In addi...

Physico-chemical and mechanical characterization of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites

Iranian Polymer Journal, 2010

olymer biocomposites based on resorcinol-formaldehyde resin matrix, reinforced with pine needles were fabricated by compression moulding technique and further developed in our laboratory. Mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, compressive strength and wear resistance of pine needlesreinforced phenolic resin matrix based composites were evaluated to assess the prospect of using the lignocellulosic fibres as a new environmental friendly material in engineering applications. The addition of pine needles into the polymeric matrix promotes a significant improvement in the composite properties. Effect of fibre dimension on mechanical properties was evaluated. It has been observed that polymer composites obtained by particle reinforcement exhibit better mechanical properties as compared to short and long fibre reinforcement. Morphological and thermal properties of the polymer matrix and fibre reinforced green composites have also been studied. In case of morphological features, the results clearly show that when polymer resin matrix is reinforced with fibres of different dimensions, morphological changes take place depending on the fibres' dimension. In case of thermal behaviour, the results obtained clearly indicate that the presence of lignocellulosic pine needles affects the thermal stability of polymer matrix. The values of initial decomposition temperature and final decomposition temperature for polymer composite have been found to be in between those of matrix and the fibre which indicate that the composite is slightly less stable thermally as compared to resin matrix. These composites were further subjected to identical characterization tests such as swelling under different solvents, moisture absorption and chemical resistance analysis, etc. It has been observed that particle reinforced composites exhibit higher resistance to swelling, moisture absorption and chemical resistance behaviour.

IJERT-A Study on Different Compositions of Epoxy Resin Reinforced with Natural Fibers and Glass Fiber

International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology (IJERT), 2020

https://www.ijert.org/a-study-on-different-compositions-of-epoxy-resin-reinforced-with-natural-fibers-and-glass-fiber https://www.ijert.org/research/a-study-on-different-compositions-of-epoxy-resin-reinforced-with-natural-fibers-and-glass-fiber-IJERTV9IS090193.pdf Today the usage of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composite material has increased significantly. The natural fibers prove to have wide area of research since it has low density, light weight and better mechanical properties. They are also ecofriendly to certain extend and also available abundantly. In this study testing was done on taking three different combination of composites, the first combination is the epoxy resin reinforced with bamboo fiber, linen fiber, palm fiber and glass fiber. The second combination is the epoxy resin reinforced with Bamboo Fiber, Linen fiber and Glass fiber. In the third combination the matrix is reinforced with Palm Fiber, bamboo fiber and Glass Fiber. The above three combinations are also varied with the weight ratios of the matrix to fiber. All the samples were fabricated using Hand-Layup Technique and the properties were analyzed. The Impact Strength, Tensile Strength, the Flexural strength, hardness and absorbent test of the composites were performed. The properties of all the specimens were tabulated and compared with the cost analysis of each combinations are performed.

Interfacial bonding mechanisms of natural fibre-matrix composites: An overview

BioResources

The development of natural fiber (NFr) composites for a variety of applications is on the rise. The optimization of the interfacial bonding (IFB) between the reinforcing NFr and polymer matrix is perhaps the single most critical aspect in the development of natural fibre polymer composites (NFPCs) with high mechanical performance. While the IFB is critical in determining the mechanical properties of the NFPCs, such as stress transfer, it is one of the least understood components. This article offers a summary of IFB mechanisms, different modification approaches targeted at lowering incompatibility and improving IFB, and evaluation of the impact of IFB. It has been found that 1) In general, interdiffusion, electrostatic adhesion, chemical reactions, and mechanical interlocking are accountable for the IFB; 2) the incompatibility of the fibre and matrix, which results in poor dispersion of the fiber, weak IFB, and ultimately worse composite quality, may be addressed through strategic m...

Synthesis and analysis of natural fibers reinforcement of synthetic resin laminates

— Natural fiber Composites are available in fiber or particle phase that they are stiffer and stronger than the continuous matrix phase and act as the principal load carrying members. In this research the comparative synthesis and analysis of kenaf fiber and polmera fibers are treated with NaOH solution and the fibers are properly reinforced with polypropylene resin and epoxy resin respectively in a matrix form to prepare hybrid composite laminates of 6mm thicknesses thereafter to compare the mechanical properties like flexural strength flexural modulus, tensile strength, tensile modulus with suitable specimens with ASTM E-08, D-638, D-670 standards. The analysis done and verified in the Ansys10.0 for various load and result factors. The nano level micro structure observation made by using (SEM) sesmic electronic microstructure to know the bonding between resin and fibers. The result observed that if the fiber length is varied the strength phenomenon also changed. All though the matrix also serves to protect the fibers from environmental damage before, during and after composite material processing. If designed properly, the new combined hybrid material exhibits better strength than would each individual material. Hybrid Composites are used not only for their structural properties, but also thermal, electrical and eco-friendly applications.

Short natural-fibre reinforced polyethylene and natural rubber composites: Effect of silane coupling agents and fibres loading

Composites Science and Technology, 2007

Composites materials based on cellulose fibres (raw or chemically modified) as reinforcing elements and thermoplastic matrices were prepared and characterized, in terms of mechanical performances, thermal properties and water absorbance behaviour. Four different cellulose fibres with different average lengths were used, namely avicel, technical, alfa pulps and pine fibres. Two thermoplastic polymers, i.e. low density polyethylene and natural rubber, were employed as matrices. Cellulose fibres were incorporated into the matrices, as such or after chemical surface modification involving three silane coupling agents, namely c-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy (MPS), c-mercaptoproyltrimethoxy (MRPS) and hexadecyltrimethoxy-silanes (HDS). As expected, the mechanical properties of the composites increased with increasing the average fibre length and the composite materials prepared using both matrices and cellulose fibres treated with MPS and MRPS displayed good mechanical performances. On the other hand with HDS bearing merely aliphatic chain only a modest enhancement on composite properties is observed which was imputed to the incapacity of HDS to bring about covalent bonding with matrix.

Author's personal copy Review Silane coupling agents used for natural fiber/polymer composites: A review

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) provide the customers with more alternatives in the material market due to their unique advantages. Poor fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion may, however, negatively affect the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting composites due to the surface incompatibility between hydrophilic natural fibers and non-polar polymers (thermoplastics and thermo-sets). A variety of silanes (mostly trialkoxysilanes) have been applied as coupling agents in the NFPCs to promote interfacial adhesion and improve the properties of composites. This paper reviews the recent progress in using silane coupling agents for NFPCs, summarizes the effective silane structures from the silane family, clarifies the interaction mechanisms between natural fibers and polymer matrices, and presents the effects of silane treatments on the mechanical and outdoor performance of the resulting composites. Crown

Treatments of Natural Fibre as Reinforcement in Polymer Composites-Short Review

Functional Composites and Structures

The demand for environmental awareness, preserving nature and being beneficial for societal economics has attracted the attention of many researchers and industries to examine the potential usage of natural fibers. There are a lot of beneficial natural fiber sources in a wide range of applications in the composites industry. It is worth mentioning that the performance of natural fiber-reinforced composites can be tailored through a certain natural fiber treatment, and hybridization by employing an appropriate number of synthetic fibers or with other natural fibers. In addition to cost-effectiveness balance, a balance between environmental impacts and desired performance can be achieved by designing the composite based on the product requirements. Yet, certain drawbacks such as incompatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, hydrophilic nature and the tendency to absorb moisture during processing greatly reduce the potential of natural fibers to be used as reinforcements in polymer composites. In this short review, the main results presented in the literature are summarized, focusing on the properties and challenges of natural fibers, the processing behavior of natural fiber treatments, and paying attention to the use of physical and chemical treatments for the improvement of fiber-matrix interaction as reinforcement for polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and biodegradables). Hemicellulose Cellulose Lignin Therrmal degradation Hemicellulose Non crystalline celulose Crystalline cellulose Lignin Biological degradation Figure 1. Factors contributing to the diverse properties of natural fiber. This leads to lightweight composites being made. The demand for the commercial use of natural fiber-based composites in various industries, such as automobiles, aerospace and civil, has been increasing, as many reports have been released [4, 5]. The current usage of the word 'biodegradable' for natural fiber composites does in fact mean the use of natural fuels in the polymer sector and, as a result of the reduced operation of plastic burning, reduces reliance on oil supplies and emissions of greenhouse gases [6-8]. The definition 'natural fiber' includes all fiber forms present in plants (cellulose fibers), animals (protein fibers) and minerals that exist in nature (asbestos, chitin and chitosan). Flexible materials with a broad aspect ratio and high tensile strength can also be known as natural fibers. While fibrous materials are abundant, including cotton, wood, grain and straw in particular being cellulosic, not all materials are available for use in textiles or other industrial fibers. Apart from the economic viewpoint, the qualities of weight, softness, elasticity, abrasion resistance and surface characteristics drive the adequacy of a fiber for business purposes [9, 10]. The physical and mechanical properties of certain natural fibers, such as fiber structures, cellulose composition, the intrinsic angle and degree of polymerization, are dictated by their chemical and physical composition [11-13]. Swelling of the fibers because of the moisture accumulation is the major disadvantage of natural fibers, creating poor linkage to the composite fiber matrix [14, 15]. Natural fibers are inherently less mechanical than synthetic fibers. A key drawback in the production of high-performance materials is their low mechanical properties. Several mechanical approaches were found, including changes in interfacial attachment, physical handling, chemical composition and natural fiber-synthetic fiber hybridization. Hybridizing natural fibers, in order to overcome the drawbacks of the other kind of fibers, leads to the synergistic effect of hybridized fibers. The use of all fibers to build a hybrid fiber-reinforced composite structure provides a feasible balance between higher material properties and the environmental advantages of natural fibers. The effective arrangement of structural numbers also enhances the material properties of the hybrids. The use of reinforcing hybrid fibers has been found to be a practical alternative to standard synthetic construction materials for structural applications [16, 17]. In this way, a proper composite material design will balance costs, efficiency and sustainability. Figure 1 shows the factors contributing to the performance of biocomposites originated from natural fibers.

Solvent Compounding of Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Systems

The traditional methods of combining fibrous reinforcement with resin matrix have been dictated by the properties of the matrix. If a thermoset matrix is used the low viscosity of the unreacted system can be exploited to either mix in quantities of short fibre reinforcement, as with bulk moulding compound, or to infiltrate the resin through reinforcement as with resin transfer moulding, however it is necessary to ensure that the moulded article is formed into its final shape before the resin cures. If a thermoplastic resin is selected then the high viscosity of material means that the blending of reinforcement and fibre must usually be performed under condition of high temperature and shear, as for example by compounding extruder or calendaring. This paper describes a method of exploiting the soluble nature of certain biodegradable polymers to produce an injection mouldable short fibre reinforced material without a mechanical compounding stage. This method combines the low viscosity...