Flax treatment with strategic enzyme combinations: Effect on fiber fineness and mechanical properties of composites

Abstract

The application of natural fibers as reinforcement material in composites can make an important contribution toward a more sustainable bio-based economy. To use these natural fibers, they need to be released from the stem. Traditionally, this is realized by dew retting. However, there are some disadvantages to this retting procedure. Due to changing weather conditions, it is quite difficult to guarantee a good and consistent fiber quality. Replacing the traditional retting process by a biocatalytic process may resolve these issues through application of a combination of pectinase and hemicellulase activities. In this context, several strategic pectinase and hemicellulase activities were blended. Flax fiber fineness and mechanical properties of resulting unidirectional fiber–epoxy composites were studied after treatment of flax stems with these strategic enzyme combinations. Characterization of fiber fineness showed a higher percentage of fiber widths smaller than 100 µm after combined treatment with two enzymes (44.7%), and the percentage was even higher after some combinations with three enzymes (51.2%). Assessment of mechanical properties of composites showed no significant differences in tensile or transverse properties for combined enzymatic treatments. Fiber properties were back-calculated from unidirectional flax fiber–epoxy composites and a Young’s modulus of 88 GPa and a tensile strength of 865 MPa were observed. Enzymatic extraction resulted in the achievement of similar results as dew retting concerning mechanical composite performance and fiber fineness.

[Retracted] Investigating Influences of Synthesizing Eco‐Friendly Waste‐Coir‐Fiber Nanofiller‐Based Ramie and Abaca Natural Fiber Composite Parameters on Mechanical Properties

“…After chemical treatment, the chemical composition of the fibers is altered such as 82.4% of cellulose, 5.2% of hemicelluloses, and 8.4% of total lignin. Before conducting chemical treatment, the density of the fiber is 1.17 g/cm 3 ; after chemical treatment, the density of the fiber is 1.29 g/cm 3 . All the fibers were hacked for the length of 10 mm uniformly; blended ramie and abaca with different weight percentages (20 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 40 wt.%, and 50 wt.%) were placed in the mould.…”

“…e tensile strength is highly improved, as the maximum tensile strength has been found (865 MPa) by using flax fiber with epoxy resin [3]. Natural fibers are replaced glass fiber in several applications based on the properties such as physical and mechanical.…”

Mechanical Properties of Banyan Fiber‐Reinforced Sawdust Nanofiller Particulate Hybrid Polymer Composite

“…Materials used for this research work are banyan fiber extracted by wetting process from the banyan tree [16] and sawdust cellulose fillers extracted from wood [17] which is supplied by SM composites, Chennai, India. For enhanced bonding capabilities of natural fibers, the resin particle is a blend of Biphenyl-F type LY556 Epoxy polymer and Araldite HY 951 hardener [18] which is supplied by Javanthi enterprises, Chennai, India. The basic properties of materials are given in Table 1.…”

Surface Modification of Flax Yarns by Enzymatic Treatment and Their Interfacial Adhesion with Thermoset Matrices

“…In contrast, the presence of only endo 1, 4-β-xylanase in Feedlyve was not able to induce substantial modifications of the flax properties. De Prez et al [25,35] investigated different enzyme combinations based on several pectinase and hemicellulase activities, including up to three different enzymes applied to flax fibres, and discussed their effects on the chemical fibre composition, ease of fibre extraction and fibre fineness.…”