Evaluation of the Interface Strength in the Abaca-Fiber-Reinforced Bio-Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

Bio-based polymers, with any of their constituents based on nonrenewable sources, can answer the demands of society and regulations regarding minimizing the environmental impact. The more similar such biocomposites are to oil-based composites, the easier the transition, especially for companies that do not like the uncertainty. A BioPE matrix, with a structure similar to that of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), was used to obtain abaca-fiber-reinforced composites. The tensile properties of these composites are displayed and compared with commercial glass-fiber-reinforced HDPE. Since the strength of the interface between the reinforcements and the matrix is responsible for the exploitation of the strengthening abilities of the reinforcements, several micromechanical models were used to obtain an estimation of the strength of the interface and the intrinsic tensile strength of the reinforcements. Biocomposites require the use of a coupling agent to strengthen their interface, and once an 8 wt.% of such coupling agent was added to the composites, these materials returned tensile properties in line with commercial glass-fiber-reinforced HDPE composites.

Methodologies to Evaluate the Micromechanics Flexural Strength Properties of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Composites: The Case of Abaca-Fiber-Reinforced Bio Polyethylene Composites

“…The result obtained for the fiber tensile strength factor ( FTSF ) for the coupled abaca-reinforced BioPE matrix in a previous publication was 100.89 [ 52 ]. The flexural strength factor ( FFSF ) is around 1.5 times higher than the tensile strength factor, with a value of 154.03, as was expected and published by previous authors [ 61 ].…”

“…The value of FTSF was obtained from a previous publication, being 100.89, and the value of FFSF was found before in this study, and it was 154.03. The value of was also established in a previous publication, and its mean value was 514.25 [ 52 ].…”

“…We used the hypothesis in which we ruled out the contribution of the matrix and assumed that the tensile–flexural strength ratio of the composite is the same as the tensile–flexural strength ratio of the fiber. The equation for the contribution of the fiber gives the result of a mean value = 786.8 MPa, where the values of by different AF percentages were obtained in a previous publication [ 52 ].…”

“… Diagram of the methodology, including mixing, injection, and flexural test (to be combined with the outputs from the tensile tests) [ 26 , 27 , 52 ]. …”

Natural Fiber Composite Filaments for Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review

“…The volume fraction of abaca fibers contributed almost linearly to the composites' tensile strength, with maximum tensile properties achieved at 50 wt.% fiber loading. Moreover, it has been observed that the measures of mechanical properties increased in tandem with the weight fraction of abaca fibers and that the use of maleic acid as a coupling agent further improved these properties [64]. The development of bast-fiber composites by compression molding and chemically pretreating jute fibers with amino-silicone oil has been explored.…”