Effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of LDPE‐henequen cellulosic fiber composites

Abstract

The degree of mechanical reinforcement that could be obtained by the introduction of henequen cellulosic fibers in a low-density polyethylene, LDPE, matrix was assessed experimentally. Composite materials of LDPE-henequen cellulosic fibers were prepared by mechanical mixing. The concentration of randomly oriented fibers in the composite ranged between 0 and 30% by volume. The tensile strength of these composite materials increased up to 50% compared to that of LDPE. There is also a noticeable increase in Young's modulus for the composite materials that compares favorably with that of LDPE. As expected, the addition of the fibers decreases the ultimate strain values for the composite materials. The thermal behavior of the LDPEhenequen cellulosic fibers materials, studied by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, showed that the presence of the fibers does not affect the thermal behavior of the LDPE matrix; thus, the interaction between fiber and matrix is probably not very intimate. Preimpregnation of the cellulosic fibers in a LDPE-xylene solution and the use of a silane coupling agent results in a small increment in the mechanical properties of the composites, which is attributed to an improvement in the interface between the fibers and the matrix. The shear properties of the composites also increased with increasing fiber content and fiber surface treatment. It was also noted that the fiber surface treatment improves fiber dispersion in the matrix.

Modified polyester resins for natural fibre composites

“…1-3 show the flexural modulus, flexural strength and work of fracture of treated long kenaf (TLK)-polyester A, B, C and D, respectively. Treated long kenaf fibre was selected for this work because the alignment of kenaf fibre during composite manufacture was good and also treated fibres gave superior results as reported by several authors [9][10][11][12][13]. Polyester B, C and D were formulated by the resin supplier to be more compatible with natural fibres.…”

“…However, being hydrophilic, natural fibres need to be treated first to make them more compatible with hydrophobic thermosets and thermoplastics. It has been reported by several authors that modification of fibres improved the mechanical properties of composites [7,[9][10][11][12][13]. Mwaikambo jute, sisal and kapok fibres with various concentrations of NaOH and found 6% to be the optimized concentration in terms of cleaning the fibre bundle surfaces yet retaining a high index of crystallinity.…”

Moisture Absorption Behavior of Palm/Polypropylene Composites in Distilled Water and Sea Water

“…However, it has been shown that the use of compatibilizing and coupling agents for treating fibers prior to, or as an addition in, the compounding step enhances the compatibility and adhesion between the fibers and the matrix and the fiber dispersion in the matrix improving the mechanical properties [13][14][15][16][17][18]. The most common method for compatibilization is grafting matrix compatible components onto cellulose or grafting cellulose compatible species to the thermoplastic molecules.…”

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Iron Powder Filled Polystyrene Composites

“…The physical and mechanical properties of the composite materials depend on the volume fraction of the fillers and additives (such as metal or ceramic), on their form (such as powder or fiber), and on the interfacial compatibility between the metal particles and the matrix [4] . Such fillers and additives are introduced to the system to improve thermal and electrical conductivity, and to stiffen the matrix [3,[5][6][7][8][9][10] .…”