Mechanical Properties of Phenol Formaldehyde Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Natural Cellulose Fibers

Abstract

This paper reports on the preparation and mechanical properties of hybrid polymer composites involving areca fine fibers (AFFs), sisal fibers (SFs), and roselle fibers (RFs) as reinforcing agents in a phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin-based polymer matrix. For comparative study, an AFF/glass fiber-reinforced PF hybrid composite and AFF/PF composite were also prepared. Hybrid composites were fabricated using a hand lay-up technique, where the weight fraction of fibers was kept at 40 wt% at a ratio of 1:1. Tensile and flexural properties of randomly oriented intimately mixed hybrid polymer composites were evaluated. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of the AFF/PF composite increased by a considerable amount when hybridized with the sisal fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the fractured surface of the composite specimens after mechanical testing.

Effects of Chemical Modification on the Mechanical Properties of Calotropis Gigantea Fiber-reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde Biocomposites

“…Sreekala et al [4] studied the influence of fiber surface modifications on the mechanical performance of oil palm fiber-reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites and found that composites having the modified fibers show the excellent impact resistance. Many numbers of researchers have been carried out the performance study on the natural cellulose fiber-reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites: grass/phenol formaldehyde [5], Wereca /roselle/phenol formaldehyde [6], sisal/phenol formaldehyde [7], Wereca/phenol formaldehyde [8], banana/phenol formaldehyde [9], Grewia optiva/phenol formaldehyde [10], and Calotropis Gigantea/phenol formaldehyde [11]. All the above research works report that the phenol formaldehyde composites can be prepared using the natural cellulose fibers as reinforcing agents with the improved properties.…”

Síntese de termorrígidos fenólicos simultaneamente à formação de compósitos: fibras e mantas como reforço vegetal

“…As propriedades dos termorrígidos como elevada resistência a estresse, temperatura, dentre outras, devido sua estrutura altamente entrecruzada após a cura (ATHIJAYAMANI et al, 2017) os tornam atrativos. Porém, o entrecruzamento leva a baixa resistência a fraturas, tornando-os mais frágeis do que os termoplásticos, necessitando assim da utilização de um material como reforço estrutural que leva à formação de compósitos.…”