PLA/wood biocomposites: Improving composite strength by chemical treatment of the fibers

Abstract

A resol type phenolic resin was prepared for the impregnation of wood particles used for the reinforcement of PLA. A preliminary study showed that the resin penetrates wood with rates depending on the concentration of the solution and on temperature.Treatment with a solution of 1 wt% resin resulted in a considerable increase of composite strength and decrease of water absorption. Composite strength improved as a result of increased inherent strength of the wood, but interfacial adhesion might be modified as well.When wood was treated with resin solutions of larger concentrations, the strength of the composites decreased, first slightly, then drastically to a very small value. A larger amount of resin results in a thick coating on wood with inferior mechanical properties. At large resin contents the mechanism of deformation changes; the thick coating breaks very easily leading to the catastrophic failure of the composites at very small loads.

Effect of thermal annealing on the mechanical and thermal properties of polylactic acid–cellulosic fiber biocomposites

“…In order to increase the general mechanical properties of PLA biocomposites, investigations were performed on improving fiber–matrix interactions using different additives. Csizmadia et al . used wood impregnated with a phenolic resin to reinforce PLA and reported increased strength and decreased water absorption.…”

Multicomponent Polymer Composite/Nanocomposite Systems Using Polymer Matrices from Sustainable Renewable Sources

“…However, the moisture resistance of natural fibers in composite structures can be improved through fiber treatments like chemical modifications (Csizmadia et al 2013;Rowell 2012a;Gregorova et al 2011;Bettini et al 2010;Singha et al 2009a, b;Stark and Gardner 2008). These modifications influence the thermal and mechanical properties of resulted composite materials.…”

“…Significant interest has derived from the outdoor performance of these composites, in particular their resistance to photo-oxidation processes. The wood particles and cellulose fibers which have high strength and modulus-with good adhesion and uniform dispersion-can impart better mechanical properties to the polymer matrix in order to obtain a composite with better properties than those of the unfilled polymer matrix (Csizmadia et al 2013;Nair et al 2013).…”

Eco-friendly Polymer Nanocomposites

“…However, the moisture resistance of natural fibers in composite structures can be improved through fiber treatments like chemical modifications (Csizmadia et al 2013;Rowell 2012a;Gregorova et al 2011;Bettini et al 2010;Singha et al 2009a, b;Stark and Gardner 2008). However, the moisture resistance of natural fibers in composite structures can be improved through fiber treatments like chemical modifications (Csizmadia et al 2013;Rowell 2012a;Gregorova et al 2011;Bettini et al 2010;Singha et al 2009a, b;Stark and Gardner 2008).…”