Dynamic In-Situ Observation on the Failure Mechanism of Flax Fiber through Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

In order to develop and improve bio-inspired fibers, it is necessary to have a proper understanding of the fracture behavior of bio-fibers such as flax fibers from an individual fiber down to the constituent micro-fibrils and nano-fibrils. For investigating the failure mechanism of individual and technical flax fibers, a tensile test bench was placed within a scanning electron microscope, and the entire process of fiber failure was investigated through the capture of an SEM movie. Next, fractographic analysis was performed on the failure surface of single fibers as well as meso-fibrils that failed at a displacement rate of 0.25 mm/min, 0.75 mm/min, and 1.6 mm/min. The analysis also enabled visualization of a few internal details of flax fiber such as the arrangement of meso-fibrils and micro-fibrils (nano-fibrils). It was shown that the crack bridging mechanism and successive fiber pull-out contributed to the high work of fracture of flax fiber and the value may reach as high as 10 6 J/m 2 .

Thermo-Mechanical Properties of PLA/Short Flax Fiber Biocomposites

“…In fact, the flax fibers are constituted by a series of polyhedron shape elementary fibers overlapped over a considerable length; they are held together by an interphase that mainly consists of hemicellulose and pectin. Each elementary fiber consists of a very thin primary cell wall, a secondary cell wall (dominating the cross section), and an open channel at the fiber center called "lumen" [10][11][12]. Typical dimeter for an elementary flax fibers are around 10-15 µm; on the other hand, technical flax fibers have a diameter that varies between 35-150 µm [11].…”

“…Each elementary fiber consists of a very thin primary cell wall, a secondary cell wall (dominating the cross section), and an open channel at the fiber center called "lumen" [10][11][12]. Typical dimeter for an elementary flax fibers are around 10-15 µm; on the other hand, technical flax fibers have a diameter that varies between 35-150 µm [11].…”

Natural Fibre and Hybrid Composite Thin-Walled Structures for Automotive Crashworthiness: A Review

“…The inherent elasto-plastic behavior of natural fibres enables them to deform more than their synthetic counterparts without breaking, enhancing their effectiveness in dampening vibrations and providing advantages in applications such as automotive or aerospace crashworthiness components [166,167]. On the other hand, natural fibres typically have more heterogeneous micro-structures, which can lead to micro-structural damage occurring due to the breaking of individual fibres, delamination between layers, and the separation of fibre bundles [168]. Micro-fibrils characterize cellulose-based fibres and govern their stiffness.…”

Effect of gamma irradiation on the waste polyethylene/bagasse composites reinforced with flax and sisal fibers for use in wood applications

“…4,9 Because they weigh less and have lower dermal abrasion, require less processing energy, have better vibration-dampening properties, and are more insulating and sound-absorbing than petroleum-based or synthetic fibers, flax fibers are a desirable option for use as reinforcing agents in advanced polymer matrix composite materials. 10,11 The flax plant's stems reach a height of between 80 and 120 cm. Flax is a plant with a rapid growth rate; it can mature in 100 days.…”