Soybean oil-based thermosets with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone as crosslinking agent for hemp fiber composites

Soybean oil-based thermosets from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) with a highly reactive vinyl monomer, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), as crosslinking agent to replace styrene (St) were formulated for the fabrication of hemp fiber composites. The theoretical miscibility of NVP–AESO and St–AESO systems were discussed based on the group contribution method. The AESO resin with 30 wt% NVP exhibited a slightly higher viscosity than the counterpart with St, while the maximum curing temperature of the former was considerably lower than that of the latter. The composites from 20 wt% NVP resin gained comparable mechanical properties and higher glass transition temperature (T_g) to the composites with 30 wt% St. Further increase in NVP usage to 40 wt% resulted in the composites with higher tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, storage modulus, and T_g of 29.6%, 22.4%, 22.5%, 20.6%, 21.6%, and 47.2%, respectively, when compared to those of the St-based composites.     

Effects of aluminium nitride inclusions on thermal and electrical properties of epoxy and polypropylene: An experimental investigation

Thermal and dielectric properties of polymers reinforced with micro-sized aluminium nitride (AlN) particles have been studied. A set of epoxy–AlN composites, with filler content ranging from 0 to 25 vol% is prepared by hand lay-up technique. With similar filler loading, polypropylene -AlN composites are fabricated by compression molding technique. Density (ρ_c), effective thermal conductivity (k_eff), glass transition temperature (T_g), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and dielectric constant (ε_c) of these composites are measured experimentally. The various experimental data were interpreted using appropriate theoretical models. Incorporation of AlN in both the resin increases the k_eff and T_g whereas CTE of composite decreases favourably. The dielectric constant of the composite also found to get modified with filler content. With improved thermal and modified dielectric characteristics, these AlN filled polymer composites can possibly be used for microelectronics applications.     

Polypropylene–microcrystalline cellulose composites with enhanced compatibility and properties

Polypropylene (PP)–microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites were prepared containing Poly(propylene-graft-maleic anhydride) (PP-g-MA) and MCC treated with silicone oil, stearic acid or alkyltitanate coupling agent to promote matrix–filler dispersion and compatability. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed surface treatment. MCC content and PP-g-MA increased PP thermal stability and crystallisation temperature (T_c), though reduced crystallinity due to cellulose II crystals. Tensile stress–strain analysis revealed increased modulus with MCC content, PP-g-MA, alkyltitanate and stearic acid. MCC and PP-g-MA reduced creep deformation and increased permanent strain. Storage modulus, loss modulus and glass transition temperature increased with MCC concentration due to effective interaction between PP and MCC.     

Performance properties of microcrystalline cellulose as a reinforcing agent in wood plastic composites

Polypropylene (PP)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/wood flour composites were prepared containing polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) as compatibilizer. The mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were investigated. The weight ratio of the cellulosic materials to polymer matrix was 40:60 (w:w). The obtained results showed that tensile, flexural and impact strengths of the composites were significantly enhanced with addition of MCC, as compared with pure PP and composites without MCC. The effect of MCC on impact was minimal compared to the effects of PP-g-MA content. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that the composite, with compatibilizer, promotes better fiber–matrix interaction. In all cases, the degradation temperatures shifted to higher values after addition of PP-g-MA. The maximum improvement on the thermal stability of the composites was achieved when 5% PP-g-MA was used. However, the increase in MCC content substantially reduced the thermal stability. This work showed that MCC along with wood flour could be effectively used as reinforcing agent in thermoplastic matrix.     

Tensile and thermomechanical properties of short carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composites

In this study, carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) composites were prepared by using melt mixing method. Effects of fiber length and content, on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of CF reinforced PA6 composites were investigated. Fiber length distributions of composites were also determined by using an image analyzing program. It was seen that the maximum number of fibers were observed in the range of 0–50 μm. Mechanical test results showed that, increasing CF content increased the tensile strength, modulus and hardness values but decreased strain at break values of composites. DSC results showed that T_g and T_m values of composites were not changed significantly with increasing CF content and length. However, heat of fusion and the relative degree of crystallinity values of composites decreased with ascending CF content. DMA results revealed that storage modulus and loss modulus values of composites increased with increasing CF content.     

Structure and properties of hybrid PLA nanocomposites with inorganic nanofillers and cellulose fibers

Polylactide reinforced with 3 wt% of organo-modified montmorillonite, 5 wt% of stearic acid-modified calcium carbonate nanoparticles, 15 wt% of cellulose fibers (PLA/MMT, PLA/NCC, PLA/CF) and hybrid composites containing 15 wt% of fibers in addition to montmorillonite (PLA/MMT/CF) or calcium carbonate (PLA/NCC/CF) were prepared and examined. The nanoparticles were dispersed in polylactide almost homogeneously; montmorillonite was exfoliated during processing. T_g of polylactide remained unaffected but its cold crystallization was enhanced; the cold-crystallization behavior of the hybrid composites was dominated by nanofillers nucleating ability. The fibers and calcium carbonate decreased whereas exfoliated montmorillonite improved the thermal stability of the materials. Polylactide, PLA/NCC and PLA/MMT exhibited ability to plastic deformation, although the latter the weakest. Tensile behavior of the hybrid composites was strongly influenced by the fibers and similar to that of PLA/CF. All the fillers increased the storage modulus below T_g; that of PLA/MMT/CF and PLA/NCC/CF was improved with respect to polylactide by 50% and 45%, respectively.     

Development of slate fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites for injection molding

During the last decade the use of fiber reinforced composite materials has consolidated as an attracting alternative to traditional materials due to an excellent balance between mechanical properties and lightweight. One drawback related to the use of inorganic fibers such as those derived from siliceous materials is the relative low compatibility with conventional organic polymer matrices. Surface treatments with coupling agents and the use of copolymers allow increasing fiber–matrix interactions which has a positive effect on overall properties of composites. In this research work we report the use of slate fiber treated with different coupling agents as reinforcement for high density polyethylene from sugarcane. A silane (propyltrimethoxy silane; PTMS) and a graft copolymer (polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride; PE-g-MA) were used to improve fiber–matrix interactions on HDPE-slate fiber. The effect of the different compatibilizing systems and slate fiber content were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DTMA) as well as mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact). The results show that the use of silane coupling agents leads to higher fiber–matrix interactions which has a positive effect on overall mechanical properties. Interesting results are obtained for composites containing 30 wt.% slate fiber previously treated with propyltrimethoxy silane (PTMS) with an increase in tensile and flexural strength of about 16% and 18% respectively.     

Retention of mechanical performance of polymer matrix composites above the glass transition temperature by vascular cooling

An actively cooled vascular polymer matrix composite containing 3.0% channel volume fraction retains greater than 90% flexural stiffness when exposed continuously to 325 °C environmental temperature. Non-cooled controls suffered complete structural failure through thermal degradation under the same conditions. Glass–epoxy composites (T_g = 152 °C) manufactured by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding contain microchannel networks of two different architectures optimized for thermal and mechanical performance. Microchannels are fabricated by vaporization of poly(lactide) fibers treated with tin(II) oxalate catalyst that are incorporated into the fiber preform prior to resin infiltration. Flexural modulus, material temperature, and heat removal rates are measured during four-point bending testing as a function of environmental temperature and coolant flow rate. Simulations validate experimental measurements and provide insight into the thermal behavior. Vascular specimens with only 1.5% channel volume fraction centered at the neutral bending axis also retained over 80% flexural stiffness at 325 °C environmental temperature.     

Preparation and properties of hollow glass microsphere-filled epoxy-matrix composites

Hollow glass microsphere (HGM)–filled epoxy composites, with filler content ranging from 0 to 51.3 vol.%, were prepared in order to modify the dielectric properties of the epoxy. The results showed that the dielectric constant (D_k) and dielectric loss (D_f) of the composites decreased simultaneously with increasing HGM content, which was critical for the provision of superior high-frequency device performance. Other properties of the composite, such as the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the glass transition temperature (T_g), were also improved. The improvement in these properties was related to strong interaction between the HGM and epoxy, which was indicated by the formation of an interphase between the HGM and epoxy-matrix. It was unsatisfactory in this study that the thermal conductivity of the composites also decreased with HGM content. In order to obtain relatively high thermal conductivity and a low dielectric constant simultaneously, this paper suggests further adding other filler.     

Optimum mixing ratio of epoxy for glass fiber reinforced composites with high thermal stability

The optimum condition of glass fiber/epoxy composites was investigated according to mixing ratio of two epoxy matrices. Novolac type epoxy and isocyanate modified epoxy were used as composites matrix. Based on chemical composition of mixing matrix, optimum mixing ratio of epoxy resins was obtained through FT-IR instrument. In order to investigate thermal stability and interface of epoxy resin, glass transition temperature was observed by DSC instrument, and static contact angle was measured by reflecting microscope. Change of IR peak and T_g was conformed according to different epoxy mixing ratios. After fabrication of glass fiber/epoxy composites, tensile, compression, and flexural properties were tested by UTM by room and high temperature. The composites exhibited best mechanical properties when epoxy mixing ratio was 1:1.     

Process-induced strains in RTM processing of polyurethane/carbon composites

The development of residual strains and stresses is critical to manufacture composite structures with the required dimensional stability and mechanical performance. This work uses Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors to monitor strain build-up in carbon fiber composites with a polyurethane (PU) matrix designed for high production volume applications. The PU matrix presents an initially low viscosity combined with a fast cure reaction, which makes it adequate to very short processing cycles. FBG sensors were incorporated into PU-matrix composites manufactured by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The measured strains were compared with those obtained with different benchmark epoxy-matrix composites and with those obtained through micromechanical finite element simulations. Results showed that most of the residual strains were built-up during cool-down from the post-curing temperature and that stresses in the PU-matrix composites were comparable to those obtained for epoxies with similar T_g.     

Electrical properties of short sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

The electrical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) have been studied with special reference to fiber loading, frequency and temperature. The dielectric constant (ε′), loss factor (ε″), dissipation factor (tan δ) and conductivity increases with fiber content for the entire range of frequencies. The values are high for the composites having fiber content of 50 vol.%. This increment is high at low frequencies, low at medium frequencies, and very small at high frequencies. The volume resistivity varies with fiber loading at lower frequency and merges together at higher frequency. When temperature increases the dielectric constant values increases followed by a decrease after the glass transition temperature. This variation depends upon the fiber content. Finally an attempt is made to correlate the experimental value of the dielectric constant with theoretical predictions.     

Effect of flame retardants on flame retardant,mechanical, and thermal properties of sisal fiber/polypropylene composites

A flame retardant efficiency of flame retardants; ammonium polyphosphate (APP), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂), zinc borate (Zb), and combination of APP with Mg(OH)₂ and Zb in sisal fiber/polypropylene (PP) composites was investigated using a horizontal burning test and a vertical burning test. In addition, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the compatibility in the system; i.e. PP-fiber and PP-flame retardants. Thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the PP composites were also studied. Adding the flame retardants resulted in improved flame retardancy and thermal stability of the PP composites without deterioration of their mechanical properties. APP and combination of APP with Zb effectively enhanced flame retardancy of the PP composites. No synergistic effect was observed when APP was used in combination with Mg(OH)₂. SEM micrographs of PP composites revealed good distribution of flame retardants in PP matrix and good adhesion between sisal fiber and PP matrix.     

Mechanical and thermal behavior of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced layered clay/epoxy nanocomposites

Mechanical and thermal properties of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced clay/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. Clay/epoxy nanocomposite systems were prepared to use as the matrix material for composite laminates. X-ray diffraction results obtained from natural and modified clays indicated that intergallery spacing of the layered clay increases with surface treatment. Tensile tests indicated that clay loading has minor effect on the tensile properties. Flexural properties of laminates were improved by clay addition due to the improved interface between glass fibers and epoxy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified clay particles affected the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the nanocomposites. Incorporation of surface treated clay particles increased the dynamic mechanical properties of nanocomposite laminates. It was found that the flame resistance of composites was improved significantly by clay addition into the epoxy matrix.     

Woven hybrid biocomposites: Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties

The dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)/woven jute fibre (J_w) reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were carried out. The storage modulus (E′) was found to decrease with temperature in all cases, and hybrid composites had showed better values of E′ at glass transition temperature (T_g) compared to EFB and epoxy. Loss modulus showed shifts in the T_g of the polymer matrix with the addition of fibre as reinforcing phase, which indicate that fibre plays an important role in case of T_g. The Tan δ peak height was minimum for jute composites and maximum for epoxy matrix. Complex modulus variations and phase behaviour of the hybrid composites was studied by Cole-Cole analysis. Thermal analysis result indicates an increase in thermal stability of EFB composite with the incorporation of woven jute fibres. Hybridization of EFB composite with J_w fibres enhanced the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties.     

Mechanical properties and flammability of sisal/PP composites: Effect of flame retardant type and content

In this research, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) and zinc borate, as flame retardants, were incorporated into sisal/PP composites. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene was also used as a compatibilizer. Adding flame retardants into sisal/PP composites reduced burning rate and increased thermal stability of the composites. No synergistic effect was observed when both magnesium hydroxide and zinc borate were incorporated in the sisal/PP composites. In addition, the sisal/PP composites exhibited insignificant difference of shear viscosity at high shear rate indicating that types of flame retardants used in this study had no impact on the processability of the composites. Good distribution of flame retardants and sisal fiber in PP matrix was also observed. All PP composites had lower impact strength than the neat PP. However, the sisal/PP composites with the addition of Mg(OH)₂ and zinc borate exhibited comparable tensile and flexural properties to the sisal/PP composites without adding those flame retardants. Therefore, the addition of Mg(OH)₂ and zinc borate enhanced flame retardancy of sisal/PP composites without sacrificing their mechanical properties.     

Monotonic properties of unidirectional glass fiber (U)/random glass fiber (R)/epoxy hybrid composites

The main objective of the present paper is to study the tensile and bending behaviors of unidirectional glass fiber (U)/random glass fiber (R)/epoxy hybrid composites with total fiber volume fraction (V_fT) = 37%. Six kinds of laminated composites of average thickness 5.5 mm were manufactured using hand lay-up technique; i.e. [R]₅, [U/R/U/R/U], [U/0.5R/U]_S, [0.5R/U/U]_S, [U/U/0.5R]_S, and [U]₅. In bending test, notched and unnotched specimens were tested. For this purpose different circular notch sizes (D = 3, 6, 9 mm) were drilled at the specimen center. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson’s ratio, bending strength and bending modulus were determined experimentally. The effect of stacking sequences, random fiber relative volume fraction (V_fR/V_fT), and notch diameter on the mechanical properties of the mentioned composite types were studied. Failure modes of all specimens were investigated.     

Electric field effects on CNTs/vinyl ester suspensions and the resulting electrical and thermal composite properties

In this study, electrical conductivity of a vinyl ester based composite containing low content (0.05, 0.1 and 0.3 wt.%) of double and multi-walled carbon nanotubes with and without amine functional groups (DWCNTs, MWCNTs, DWCNT-NH₂ and MWCNT-NH₂) was investigated. The composite with pristine MWCNTs was found to exhibit the highest electrical conductivity. Experiments aimed to induce an aligned conductive network with application of an alternating current (AC) electric field during cure were carried out on the resin suspensions with MWCNTs. Formation of electric anisotropy within the composite was verified. Light microscopy (LM), scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were conducted to visualize dispersion state and the extent of alignment of MWCNTs within the polymer cured with and without application of the electric field. To gain a better understanding of electric field induced effects, glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composites was measured via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). It was determined that at 0.05 wt.% loading rate of MWCNTs, the composites, cured with application of the AC electric field, possessed a higher T_g than the composites cured without application of the AC electric field.     

About the influence of temperature and matrix ductility on the behavior of carbon woven-ply PPS or epoxy laminates: Notched and unnotched laminates

Could thermoplastic-based composites be used to replace thermosetting-based composites in high-temperature secondary aircraft structures? The purpose of this work is to establish the ability of a material system to be used in aircraft engine nacelles when subjected to static loadings, with a key upper temperature of 120 °C. In order to provide answers to this question, the thermo-mechanical behaviors of carbon fiber fabric reinforced PPS or epoxy laminates have been compared specifically within the temperature change with 120 °C at the upper bound. The temperature-dependent ductile behavior of laminates is more or less exacerbated, depending on polymers glass transition temperature, and laminates stacking sequence. For both materials, the degree of retention of tensile mechanical properties is quite high in notched and unnotched quasi-isotropic laminates. A Digital Image Correlation technique has been used in order to understand the influence of temperature and matrix ductility on the mechanisms of overstresses accommodation near the hole. In fabric reinforced laminates, the high-temperature results suggest a competition between the mechanisms of damage, and the mechanism of plasticization, enhanced in angle-ply lay-ups. Thus, the highly ductile behavior of TP-based laminates, at temperatures higher than their T_g, is very effective to accommodate the overstresses near the hole.     

Natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic starch composites obtained by melt processing

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) from industrial non-modified corn starch was obtained and reinforced with natural strands. The influence of the reinforcement on physical–chemical properties of the composites obtained by melt processing has been analyzed. For this purpose, composites reinforced with different amounts of either sisal or hemp strands have been prepared and evaluated in terms of crystallinity, water sorption, thermal and mechanical properties. The results showed that the incorporation of sisal or hemp strands caused an increase in the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the TPS as determined by DMTA. The reinforcement also increased the stiffness of the material, as reflected in both the storage modulus and the Young’s modulus. Intrinsic mechanical properties of the reinforcing fibers showed a lower effect on the final mechanical properties of the materials than their homogeneity and distribution within the matrix. Additionally, the addition of a natural latex plasticizer to the composite decreased the water absorption kinetics without affecting significantly the thermal and mechanical properties of the material.