Mechanical Properties Comparison of Various Ratios of L-Lactide Grafted Sisal Fibers and Untreated Sisal Fibers Reinforced Poly (lactic acid) Composites

Composites composed of the mixed fibers of L-lactide (LA) grafted sisal fiber (SF-g-LA) and untreated sisal fiber (USF) in a poly (lactic acid) (PLA) matrix were prepared with SF-g-LA/USF fibers ratios of 0, 1:9, 3:7, 5:5, 7:3, 9:1, and 1. The mechanical properties and the interfacial performance of the mixed SF reinforced PLA composites were investigated. The results of the study showed that the introduction of SF-g-LA improved the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of the mixed SF reinforced PLA composites compared with pure PLA or PLA composites with only USF, resulting from the improved interfacial adhesion between SF-g-LA and the PLA matrix. In addition, the introduction of some amount of USF enhanced the reinforcing efficiency of the mixed SF in the composites compared to the PLA composites with only SF-g-LA, owing to the good mechanical properties of USF itself. Furthermore, as for the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the mixed SF reinforced PLA composites, the optimal ratio of SF-g-LA and USF was 7:3, whereas for the flexural modulus of the mixed SF reinforced PLA composites, the optimal mixed ratio of SF-g-LA and USF was 3:7.     

Effect of chemical treatment on dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

The dynamic mechanical properties of treated sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) have been studied with reference to fiber surface modifications, frequency and temperature. The sisal fibers have been subjected to various chemical and physical treatments like mercerization, heating at 100°C, permanganate, benzoylation and vinyl tris(2-ethoxymethoxy) silane to improve the interfacial bonding with isophthalic polyester resin. Results indicated that treatment changed the storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping factor (tan δ) drastically at a wide range of temperature. The E′ value increased for every treatment, and is maximum for the composites fabricated by benzoylated-treated fibers. The T _g value obtained from the E″value showed an increase as compared to untreated fiber-reinforced composites. The alkali-treated fiber-reinforced composites showed lower tan δ value. Using Arrhenius' equation the activation energy was calculated and found maximum for the composites fabricated by alkali-treated fiber, which shows good fiber/matrix interactions.     

Surface treatment of single sisal fibers with bacterial cellulose and its enhancement in fiber-polymer adhesion properties

In this work, a simple and effective method to modify the surface of single sisal fibers with G. xylinum was described. Single fiber tensile strength test, single fiber fragmentation test, thermal gravimetric analyses were conducted to assess the effects of different modification methods (unmodified, NaOH treatment and BC treatment). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and water uptake experiments were employed to characterize the resulting interfacial adhesion. It was shown that BC treatment produced better reinforced polymer composites with improved mechanical and long-term properties. The results also elucidated that BC nanofibrils formed a dense three dimensional network on single sisal fibers covering the roughened surface and filling the grooves and other surface ‘defects’ caused by NaOH modification in addition to its exposed hydroxyl groups to form hydrogen bonds with sisal fiber, all contributed to enhanced mechanical properties of sisal fibers as well as the better binding between sisal fibers and resin matrix. Moreover, this work also confirmed that internal geometrical and morphological differences exist in sisal fibers and this result is insightful for future natural fiber research about the importance of careful selection of fibers for consistent comparisons.     

Thermal behavior of chemically treated and untreated sisal fiber reinforced composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

Using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the thermal behavior of sisal fibers and sisal/polyester composites, fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM), has been followed. Chemical treatments have been found to increase the thermal stability, which has been attributed to the resultant physical and chemical changes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared (FT-IR) studies were also performed to study the structural changes and morphology in the sisal fiber during the treatment. The kinetic studies of thermal degradation of untreated and treated sisal fibers have been performed using Broido method. In the composites, as the fiber content increases, the thermal stability of the matrix decreases. The treated fiber reinforced composites have been found to be thermally more stable than the untreated derivatives. The increased thermal stability and reduced moisture behavior of treated composites have been correlated with fiber/matrix adhesion.     

Fabrication of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites with structural gradient from sheath-core type bicomponent fibers

Sheath-core type bicomponent fibers of polypropylene (PP) as a sheath component and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) as a core component were prepared by the highspeed melt spinning process. Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites, in which TLCP acts as a reinforcing fiber and PP as a matrix polymer, were fabricated by the compression molding of these fibers. In the melt spinning, the attainable highest take-up velocity of TLCP was improved by co-processing with PP. Tensile modulus and strength of the TLCP component in the PP/TLCP bicomponent fibers increased with an increase in the take-up velocity. Comparison of wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns of starting bicomponent fibers and fabricated composites indicated that the orientation relaxation of TLCP did not occur in the compression molding process. Accordingly, the tensile modulus and strength of the PP/TLCP composites were similar to those of the bicomponent fibers. Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites with various types of fiber content distributions were fabricated from the bicomponent fibers in which sheath-core composition was changed gradually in the spinning process. In the three-point bending test, the composites with two different types of symmetric structural gradients, one with higher TLCP fiber content near the surfaces than in the center and the other with higher TLCP content in the center than near the surfaces, exhibited different flexural moduli even though the overall TLCP contents were comparable. In the three-point bending test of a composite with asymmetric structural gradient, the yielding behavior and maximum flexural load varied depending on the direction of load application although the initial flexural moduli were similar.     

Jute fiber-reinforced chemically functionalized high density polyethylene (JF/CF-HDPE) composites with in situ fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion by Palsule Process

Jute fiber-reinforced chemically functionalized polyethylene high density (JF/CF-HDPE) composites have been processed, by Palsule process without using any compatibilizer and without any fiber modification, by using chemically functionalized maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) as matrix, in place of polyethylene. Fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion generated in situ, due to interactions between jute fiber and the maleic anhydride of the CF-HDPE matrix, has been established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope micrographs. Mechanical properties of the JF/CF-HDPE composites developed with in situ fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion in this study have been found to be higher than those of the CF-HDPE matrix and increase with increasing amounts of jute fibers in the JF/CF-HDPE composites, and are better than properties of literature reported and laboratory processed jute fiber/polyethylene composites with and without MAPE compatibilizer. Measured tensile modulus of JF/CF-HDPE composites compares well with values predicted by rule of mixtures, inverse rule of mixture, Hrisch Model, Halpin-Tsai equations, Nielsen equations, and with Palsule equation. The feasibility of developing natural fiber/maleic anhydride grafted polyolefin composites by Palsule process without using any compatibilizer and without any fiber treatment is demonstrated.     

Molecular forces and elastic constants of polyethylene single crystals

Polyethylene has an orthorhombic lattice for which nine elastic constants exist; they are obtained in terms of the intra- and intermolecular forces. Constants involved in the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential approximating the London dispersion type of van der Waals' forces are obtained by computing the crystal potential energy and comparing it with the cohesive energy. First and second nearest-neighbor interactions are considered to establish relationship between the elastic constants and the interaction constants. The latter are obtained in terms of the C—C bond, stretching, bending, and repulsive force constants and the L-J potential constants. A limited type of central force assumption is applied. Values of Young and shear moduli are obtained along the three axes. The value along the chain compares with the experimentally determined and calculated values for oriented polyethylene. Young's modulus along the lateral direction is of the order of Young's modulus of bulk polyethylene, showing that intermo-lecular forces are the ones that determine the Young modulus of bulk polyethylene.     

Evaluation of reinforcement on the mechanical behavior of partially bonded fiber/matrix interface

This paper aims at introducing a new natural composite used as soil stabilizer with particular application in geotechnical engineering. The fibers introduced in the present study could be used as effective soil reinforcement. This research proves the feasibility of the use of modified jute/polypropylene in lime and cement composites and studies their effects on the tensile and compressive strength of the matrix. In general, the optimal mechanical performance of natural composites and durability depends on the optimization of the interfacial bond between natural fiber and matrix. Since the fibers and matrices are chemically different, strong adhesion at their interfaces is needed for an effective transfer of stress and bond distribution throughout an interface. In this paper a theoretical approach for the identification of elastic modulus in composite interfaces is proposed in detail with a reasonable error. The theoretical approach is based on the method using a sum of least squares criterion. The approach is applied through optimization techniques, using analytical sensitivities and correlating adhesion with Young's modulus. The validity and potentiality of the proposed technique is discussed and the results demonstrated the versatility, accuracy, and efficiency of the presented approach. The applied method also appears to be a simple way of predicting the modulus of elasticity in composite interfaces. This leads to a discussion of the most promising stabilization methods for soil reinforcement and the outlook for the future.     

分子动力学研究表面缺陷对硅纳米线杨氏模量的影响

硅纳米线因受量子尺寸效应与表面效应的影响而具有奇特的力、电及其耦合特性,成为了纳米电子器件的核心构件.然而在硅纳米线的制备过程中,表面产生缺陷不可避免.因此本文采用分子动力学方法着重研究了表面缺陷浓度对不同横截面形状(正方形、六角形和三角形)的[110]晶向和[111]晶向硅纳米线杨氏模量的影响.研究结果表明,当硅纳米线仅有单一表面缺陷时,不同晶向硅纳米线的杨氏模量均随表面缺陷浓度增加而迅速单调减小.当表面缺陷浓度为10%时,杨氏模量的减小幅度在10%-20%之间,减小幅度的差异与硅纳米线的晶向以及横截面形状密切相关.当存在多个表面缺陷时,杨氏模量随着缺陷浓度的增加表现出了不同程度的波动趋势.三角形截面硅纳米线的杨氏模量波动幅度最大,正方形截面的波动较小,即表面缺陷分布的不同对正方形截面硅纳米线的杨氏模量影响较小,这表明表面缺陷的影响与其分布及硅纳米线的横截面形状密切相关.通过与实验结果对比,本文的研究结果揭示了表面缺陷是导致硅纳米线杨氏模量实验值变小的重要因素,因此在表征硅纳米线的力学性能时,需要考虑表面缺陷的影响.     

Effect of chemical modifications of the pineapple leaf fiber surfaces on the interfacial and mechanical properties of laminated biocomposites

Natural fiber reinforced renewable resource based laminated composites were prepared from biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and untreated or surface-treated pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) by compression molding using the film stacking method. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of surface treatment of PALF on the performance of the fiber-reinforced composites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to aid in the analysis. The mechanical properties of the PLA laminated composites were improved significantly after chemical treatment. It was found that both silane- and alkali-treated fiber reinforced composites offered superior mechanical properties compared to untreated fiber reinforced composites. The effects of temperature on the viscoelastic properties of composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). From the DMA results, incorporation of the PALF fibers resulted in a considerable increase of the storage modulus (stiffness) values. The heat defection temperature (HDT) of the PALF fiber reinforced PLA laminated composites was significantly higher than the HDT of the neat PLA resin. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) results suggest that surface treatment of PALF affects the crystallization properties of the PLA matrix. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the distribution of PLA within the fiber network. SEM photographs of fiber surface and fracture surfaces of composites clearly indicated the extent of fiber–matrix interface adhesion. It was found that the interfacial properties between the reinforcing PALF fibers and the surrounding matrix of the laminated composite are very important to the performance of the composite materials and PALF fibers are good candidates for the reinforcement fiber of high performance laminated biodegradable biocomposites.     

Temperature-dependent elastic moduli of lead telluride-based thermoelectric materials

In the open literature, reports of mechanical properties are limited for semiconducting thermoelectric materials, including the temperature dependence of elastic moduli. In this study, for both cast ingots and hot-pressed billets of Ag-, Sb-, Sn- and S-doped PbTe thermoelectric materials, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) was utilized to determine the temperature dependence of elastic moduli, including Young's modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio. This study is the first to determine the temperature-dependent elastic moduli for these PbTe-based thermoelectrics, and among the few determinations of elasticity of any thermoelectric material for temperatures above 300 K. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio, measured from room temperature to 773 K during heating and cooling, agreed well. Also, the observed Young's modulus, E, versus temperature, T, relationship, E(T) = E ₀(1–bT), is consistent with predictions for materials in the range well above the Debye temperature. A nanoindentation study of Young's modulus on the specimen faces showed that both the cast and hot-pressed specimens were approximately elastically isotropic.     

Morphology and Mechanical Performance of Polysulfone Modified by a Glass Fiber Reinforced Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer

Abstract

Hybrid composites based on polysulfone of bisphenol A (PSF) and glass fiber (GF) reinforced copolyester liquid‐crystalline polymer (gLCP) were obtained by injection molding. The viscosity of the 10% and 20% gLCP composites was lower than that of pure PSF. The Young's modulus followed the direct rule of mixtures. This was due to the counteracting effects of the decreasing orientation of the liquid‐crystalline polymer (LCP) in the skin at increasing gLCP contents on the one hand; and either the increasing skin thickness in the PSF‐rich composites or the lower orientation of the core in the PSF‐poor composites on the other. The composites with 10–20% gLCP showed the best mechanical performance, because, besides their enhanced processability, they showed a tensile strength similar to that of PSF and much larger notched impact strength.     

Relative humidity and temperature dependence of mechanical degradation of natural fiber composites

In this paper, the mechanical degradation of natural fiber composites is studied with the consideration of the relative humidity and the temperature. A nonlinear constitutive model is established, which employs an internal variable to describe the mechanical degradation related to the energy dissipation during moisture absorption. The existing experimental researches demonstrated that the mechanical degradation is an irreversible thermodynamic process induced by the degradation of fibers and the damages of interfaces between fiber and matrix, both of which depend on the variation of the relative humidity or the temperature. The evolution of the mechanical degradation is obtained through the determination of dissipation rates as a function of the relative humidity and the temperature. The theoretically predicted mechanical degradations are compared with experimental results of sisal fiber reinforced composites subject to different relative humidity and temperatures, and a good agreement is found.     

Dynamic mechanical characterization of PMR polyimide/carbon fiber composites modified by fiber coating with silicones

Viscous and elastomeric silicones have been applied as interlayers to carbon fibers in order to develop a tougher, micro-crack resistant, thermally stable polyimide (PMR-15) composite. Carbon fiber is continuously coated with very high molecular weight polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyvinyl-methylsiloxane (PVMS). Dynamic mechanical properties of the composites have been determined and compared with uncoated carbon fiber reinforced PMR-15 polyimide composites. The presence of the interlayer is shown by the appearance of a new relaxation peak. The peak temperature is found to be a good indication of the degree of the cure of the silicone elastomer. Comparison of the storage moduli of uncoated and coated carbon fiber composites at the service temperature range of the composites indicates that the presence of the silicone interlayer affects the shear moduli of the composites. Apparent activation energy of the α transition of the matrix in the modified composites varies with the amount of interlayer and composition in concert with the impact strength.     

Effects of fibre surface treatment on fracture-mechanical properties of sisal-fibre composites

Sisal fibre reinforced composites, one class of a broad range of eco-composite materials, were studied in connection with the effects of fibre surface treatment on their fracture-mechanical properties. Previous investigations on sisal fibre and its composites have been fully reviewed [1], which provided an impetus for this research. Two fibre surface treatment methods, chemical coupling based on silane and oxidization based on permanganate and dicumyl peroxide, together with untreated sisal fiber composites were used to set up different levels of interface bonding strength. The interface effects on the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of sisal fibre reinforced vinyl-ester composites were completely assessed based on the test results obtained and theoretical analyses. Many aspects of studies reported in this paper are original, such as single fiber pull-out tests and toughness evaluation of sisal composites aided by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that fibre surface treatment could improve interfacial bonding properties between sisal fibre and vinylester resin. These in turn influenced the fracture-mechanical characteristics of this class of ecocomposites.     

Interfacial effects in short sisal fiber/maleated castor oil foam composites

In this study, bio-foam composites are produced using short sisal fiber as the reinforcement and modified castor oil as the matrix, respectively. The foam composites with an average cell size of 200 μm possess properties similar to those of commercial polyurethane foams. The effects of fiber loading, fiber length and foam density on the compressive properties of the foam composites are reported in relation to the interfacial interaction. It is found that the addition of chopped sisal alters cell structure of the foam. Surface pre-treatment of sisal by alkali or silane coupling agent helps to improve the mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion. The exposure of the fibers to the gas cells of the foam reduces the effectiveness of interfacial effect, which is different from the case of conventional bulk composites. As a result, the reinforcing ability of sisal fibers becomes a function of fiber length and so on.     

Enhancements in crystallinity,thermal stability,tensile modulus and strength of sisal fibres and their PP composites induced by the synergistic effects of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) treatments

In this investigation, sisal fibres were treated with the combination of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) and their effects on the morphology, thermal properties of fibres and mechanical properties of their reinforced PP composites were studied. FTIR and FE-SEM results confirmed the removal of amorphous materials such as hemicellulose, lignin and other waxy materials after the combined treatments of alkali and ultrasound. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity of sisal fibres with an increase in the concentration of alkali. Thermogravimetric results revealed that the thermal stability of sisal fibres obtained with the combination of both alkali and ultrasound treatment was increased by 38.5 °C as compared to the untreated fibres. Morphology of sisal fibre reinforced composites showed good interfacial interaction between fibres and matrix after the combined treatment. Tensile properties were increased for the combined treated sisal fibres reinforced PP composites as compared to the untreated and pure PP. Tensile modulus and strength increased by more than 50% and 10% respectively as compared to the untreated sisal fibre reinforced composite. It has been found that the combined treatment of alkali and ultrasound is effective and useful to remove the amorphous materials and hence to improve the mechanical and thermal properties.     

Plasma-polymerized organosilicones as engineered interlayers in glass fiber/polyester composites

The plasma polymerization technique was used to surface modify glass fibers in order to form a strong but tough link between the glass fiber and the polyester matrix, and enable an efficient stress transfer from the polymer matrix to the fiber. Plasma polymer films of hexamethyldisiloxane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and tetravinylsilane in a mixture with oxygen gas were engineered as compatible interlayers for the glass fiber/polyester composite. The interlayers of controlled physico-chemical properties were tailored using the deposition conditions with regard to the elemental composition, chemical structure, and Young's modulus in order to improve adhesion bonding at the interlayer/glass and polyester/interlayer interfaces and tune the cross-linking of the plasma polymer. The optimized interlayer enabled a 6.5-fold increase of the short-beam strength compared to the untreated fibers. The short-beam strength of GF/polyester composite with the pp-TVS/O₂ interlayer was 32% higher than that with industrial sizing developed for fiber-reinforced composites with a polyester matrix.     

Cellulose-based biocomposites: comparison of different multiphasic systems

Biocomposites (biodegradable composites) are obtained by blending biodegradable polymers and fillers. Since the main components are biodegradable, the composite as a whole is also expected to be biodegradable. This paper presents various biocomposites that have been elaborated with cellulose or lignocellulose fibers from diverse sources, with different lignin contents. This paper is targeted on the analysis of 'fiber–matrix' interactions of two types of biocomposites based on agropolymer (plasticized wheat starch) and biopolyester (polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate), named APB and BPB, respectively. Processing and main properties of both biocomposites are shown and compared. Polyolefin-based composite (PPC), which is known to present very poor 'fiber–matrix' interactions, is used as a reference. Through the Young's modulus, mechanical properties have shown that the reinforcement, by increasing fiber content, is much more significant for APB compared to BPB. The evolution of chains mobility, evidenced through shift of T _g values, according to the increase in fiber content and thence in interfacial area, have shown that the fiber–matrix interactions are higher for APB. BPB presents intermediate values, higher than PPC ones. These results are in agreement with the analysis of the composite morphologies performed by SEM on cryogenic fractures. Finally, by determining the theoretical works of adhesion and the interfacial tensions from contact angle measurements, it is shown that these parameters are partially able to predict the level of interaction between the fibers and the matrix. We could show that the perspectives of such work seem to be of importance to tailor new materials with a controlled end-use.     

Effect of Polyethylene Functionalization on Mechanical Properties and Morphology of PE/SiO2 Composites

In this study composites of high density polyethylene (HDPE) with various SiO₂ content were prepared by melt compounding using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer. The composites containing 2, 4 and 6% by weight of SiO₂ particles were melt-blended in a co-rotating twin screw extruder. In all composites, polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride copolymer (PE-g-MAH, with 0.85% maleic anhydride content) was added as a compatibilizer in the amount of 2% by weight. Morphology of inorganic silica filler precipitated from emulsion media was investigated. Mechanical properties and composite microstructure were determined by tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy technique (SEM). Tensile strength, yield stress, Young's modulus and elongation at break of PE/SiO₂ composites were mainly discussed against the properties of PE/PE-g-MAH/SiO₂ composites. The most pronounced increase in mechanical parameters was observed in Young's modulus for composites with polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride. The increase in the E-modulus of PE/PE-g-MAH/SiO₂composites was associated with the compatibility and improvement of interfacial adhesion between the polyethylene matrix and the nanoparticles, leading to an increased degree of particle dispersion. This finding was verified on the basis of SEM micrographs for composites of PE/PE-g-MAH/4% by weight of SiO₂. The micrographs clearly documented that addition of only 2 wt% of the compatibilizer changed the composite morphology by reducing filler aggregates size as well as their number. Increased adhesion between the PE matrix and SiO₂ particles was interpreted to be a result of interactions taking place between the polar groups of maleic anhydride and silanol groups on the silica surface. These interactions are responsible for reduction of the size of silica aggregates, leading to improved mechanical properties.