Scatter in tensile properties of flax fibre bundles: influence of determination and calculation of the cross-sectional area

Abstract

The scatter in tensile properties induced by the determination and calculation method of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of bast fibre bundles is almost as high as the scatter found in the literature. Different methods (light microscopy, high resolution flat-bed scanning, and laser-based fibre dimensional analysis) were applied to exactly the same flax fibre bundles prior to tensile testing, and different approaches for the calculation of the CSA were applied. The CSA method alone is introducing up to 300 % of variation in tensile strength data. These results show that there is a strong need for standards and standardisation of fibre bundle testing. Care has to be taken when comparing results from studies using slightly different methods.

Exploring the potential of waste leaf sheath date palm fibres for composite reinforcement through a structural and mechanical analysis

“…Prior to testing, the samples were stored for 48h in a climatic chamber regulated at 20°C and 55% relative humidity. The cross-sectional areas of the samples was assessed with a dedicated and calibrated Fibre Dimensional Analysis System (FDAS, Diastron Ltd., Hampshire, UK), using a protocol similar to the one described in [35]. In this study, the samples were rotated within a laser beam with the full rotation scan mode ( After dimensional assessment, the samples were tensile tested using a TEST108 2kN universal testing machine (GT-TEST, France), equipped with pneumatic side action grips (1kN, Instron) and the Testwinner software (Testwell®) in a climatic chamber (20°C; 55% RH).…”

Flexural Properties of Unidirectional Enset Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite for Automotive Interior Application

“…The density of the fibers was determined using a gas Pycnometery, Beckman model 930, in which helium gas at a pressure of 0.5 bar was used as the displacement medium. For density measurement, the fibers were cut to a length of 1cm and vacuum dried for 24hr at 60 LC [18]. The mass of these fibers, to determine the density, is measured using sensitive balance with accuracy to 10 -5 g. The measured density was 1.4 ± 0.03 g/cm 3 .…”

“…Interest in Natural Fiber composites is growing for many reasons including their potential to replace synthetic fiber reinforced plastics at lower cost with improved sustainability [9]. With this in mind, in recent years, the amount of research on natural fibers products has increased considerably [4]. Besides, sufficient recent findings favor natural fiber over synthetic ones for many reasons.…”

“…Replacing of the synthetic fibers by the natural ones, thus, has a lot of benefits which can be rationalized also by means of an ecological equilibrium since natural fibers are ecofriendly while encompassing good properties compared to synthetic fibers. Other reason for this increase is due to a greater consciousness of the ever depleting trend of petroleum supplies [4]. Thus, Natural fibers have a big role to play towards a sustainable environmentally friendly future [4].…”

“…Other reason for this increase is due to a greater consciousness of the ever depleting trend of petroleum supplies [4]. Thus, Natural fibers have a big role to play towards a sustainable environmentally friendly future [4]. Besides, composite materials reinforced with natural fibers become more significant in constructional applications.…”