Debora Puglia

A Review on Natural Fibre-Based Composites-Part I

Abstract Natural fibre-based composites have been intensely studied in the last years due to their specific properties and their clearly positive environmental impact. Other advantages of using vegetable fibres are related to their economical production and processing, their safe handling and working conditions. Therefore, lignocellulosic natural fibres constitute an interesting alternative to traditional synthetic fibres in composite materials. This work is intended to present an overview of the main results presented in literature on this topic, focusing the attention on the fibres properties in terms of physical and chemical structure, thermal and mechanical properties. Some aspects related to the production of vegetable fibres for composites are also presented.

A Review on Natural Fibre-Based Composites—Part II: Application of Natural Reinforcements in Composite Materials for Automotive Industry

Abstract Natural abundance, much higher strength per unit weight than most inorganic fillers, lower density and their biodegradable nature make natural fillers attractive as reinforcements of engineering polymer systems. However, certain drawbacks such as incompatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, the tendency to form aggregates during processing and poor resistance to moisture greatly reduce the potential of natural fibres to be used as reinforcements in polymers. In this review, the main results presented in literature are summarized, focusing on the processing behaviour and final properties of natural fibres with polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and biodegradables) and paying attention to the use of physical and chemical treatments for the improvement of fibre-matrix interaction and composite mechanicaln properties. This work mainly focuses on the use of natural fibres for automotive applications.

Effects of single-walled carbon nanotube incorporation on the cure reaction of epoxy resin and its detection by Raman spectroscopy

The effects of the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the cure reaction of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A-based (DGEBA) epoxy resin is investigated by thermal analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The results of the investigation show that SWNTs act as a strong catalyst. A shift of the exothermic reaction peak to lower temperatures is in fact observed in the presence of SWNTs. Moreover, these effects are already noticeable at the lowest SWNT content investigated (5%) with slightly further effects at higher concentrations, suggesting a saturation of the catalysing action at the higher concentrations studied (10%). The thermal stability of cured DGEBA and DGEBA/SWNT composites was examined by thermogravimetry, showing a faster thermal degradation for DGEBA-SWNT composites. Raman spectroscopy was successfully applied to demonstrate that the changes observed in the cure reaction of the composites lead to a different residual strain on the SWNT bundles, following a different intercalation of the epoxy matrix.

Binary PVA bio-nanocomposites containing cellulose nanocrystals extracted from different natural sources: part I.

PVA bio-nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and from two types of natural fibres, Phormium tenax and Flax of the Belinka variety, were produced by solvent casting in water. Morphological, thermal, mechanical and transparency properties were studied while the respective efficiency of the extraction process of CNC from the three sources was evaluated. The effect of CNC types and content on PVA properties and water absorption capacity were also evaluated. Natural fibres offered higher levels of extraction efficiency when compared with MCC hydrolysis yield. Thermal analysis proved that CNC promotes the crystallization of the PVA matrix, while improving its plastic response. It was also clarified that all PVA/CNC systems remain transparent due to CNC dispersion at the nanoscale, while being all saturated after the first 18-24h of water absorption.

Dielectric behavior of epoxy matrix/single-walled carbon nanotube composites

Abstract A study of the ac electrical transport properties of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A-based epoxy resin (DGEBA) polymerized with a diethylene triamine (DETA) and reinforced with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is presented. The main objective is the investigation of the particular electrical behavior of the conductive filler in the composite and the development of new nanocomposite materials based on epoxy resins with controlled structural and electrical properties. The structural and electrical characterization of the SWNT–DGEBA/DETA hybrid system, performed by differential scanning calorimetry, Raman and ac impedance spectroscopy show interesting effects, including the particular interaction between the polymer and nanotubes, the tendency of the nanotube structure to increase the rate of reaction and substantial effects of the nanotube bundle conformation, dependent on matrix intercalation, on the dielectric behavior of the composite.

Characterization of composites based on natural and glass fibers obtained by vacuum infusion

The mechanical properties of composites based on different natural fibers and glass fibers using unsaturated polyester and modified acrylic as matrix are evaluated. In spite of the several works done in natural fiber composites, there are very few results on acrylic as matrix. Fabrication of the composites is done by means of vacuum infusion. Flexural, tension, and impact test are conducted on the composites. Ignition, thermal degradation, and water absorption are determined. Jute composite with unsaturated polyester resin as matrix showed the best results on flexural and tensile strengths and the lowest in impact energy, because of the strong interphase developed. Flax composites show higher impact energy than the other natural fiber composites, due to the existence of the effective energy dissipation mechanisms, like pull-out and axial splitting of the fibers. Scanning electron micrograph confirmed this fact. None of the samples resisted the five-second exposition to the flame on the ignition test. All of them were completely consumed, and flax composites burned the longest.

Effect of silver nanoparticles and cellulose nanocrystals on electrospun poly(lactic) acid mats: Morphology, thermal properties and mechanical behavior

The fabrication of ternary fibrous mats based on poly(lactic) acid (PLA), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs, both pristine (p-CNCs) and modified with a commercial surfactant (s-CNCs)) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles by electrospinning is reported. Amounts of 1 and 5 wt.% were selected for Ag and CNCs, respectively. Neat PLA and binary PLA/Ag, PLA/p-CNCs and PLA/s-CNCs were produced as references. The CNCs and Ag influence on the microstructural, thermal and mechanical properties was investigated. The Ag and/or p-CNCs addition did not remarkably affect fiber morphology and average size dimension (between (468 ± 111) and (551 ± 122)nm), whereas the s-CNCs presence led to the deposition of a honeycomb-like network on a underneath layer of randomly oriented fibers. The efficiency of the surfactant use in promoting the CNC dispersion was demonstrated. A slight enhancement (e.g. around 25%, in terms of strength) of the mechanical properties of p-CNCs loaded fibers, particularly for PLA/Ag/p-CNCs, was revealed, whereas mats with s-CNCs showed a decrement (e.g. around 35-45%, in terms of strength), mainly imputable to the delamination between the upper honeycomb-like layer and the lower conventional fibrous mat.

Effect of organically modified nanoclay on the miscibility, rheology, morphology and properties of epoxy/carboxyl-terminated (butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) blend

Carboxyl-terminated (butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (CTBN) modified epoxy/clay nanocomposites (epoxy/clay/CTBN ternary nanocomposites) were synthesized using nadic methyl anhydride as curing agent. Effect of nanoclay on the phase behavior (UCST) of epoxy oligomer/CTBN blend has been studied in detail. The phase diagram was shifted to a higher temperature with increase in clay loading due to the easy penetration of low molecular weight CTBN into the clay galleries. The XRD studies confirmed the penetration of CTBN into the clay galleries, as the ‘d’ spacing increased with increase in CTBN content in the epoxy/clay/CTBN ternary nanocomposite. The interaction of organically modified clay with epoxy and CTBN were studied using frequency sweep rheological analysis. The individual and combined effect of nanoclay and CTBN on the cure reaction was followed by isothermal rheological analysis. It was found that complex viscosity profiles during cure reaction follow an exponential growth. The characteristic relaxation time of viscosity growth was described by the WLF equation. Moreover the dynamics of phase separation during cure was followed using optical microscopy. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images revealed that the domain size of phase separated CTBN in epoxy/clay/CTBN ternary nanocomposite was smaller than in epoxy/CTBN binary blend. The kinetic factor in epoxy-anhydride cure reaction and the presence of clay at epoxy–CTBN interface was used to explain this size reduction. The high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) image of epoxy/3 phr clay nanocomposite showed that the clay platelets were mostly intercalated. Epoxy/3 phr clay/15 phr CTBN nanocomposite has an intercalated with occasional exfoliated microstructure with slightly distorted clay orientation. Low magnification TEM images showed that most of the clay platelets located near the phase separated CTBN and the presence of clay at the epoxy–CTBN interface. The viscoelastic properties of epoxy/clay/CTBN nanocomposite was studied and compared with that of epoxy/clay nanocomposite and epoxy/CTBN blend. A quantitative measurement of constrained region (macromolecular chains immobilized by the clay platelets) was carried out for epoxy/clay and epoxy/clay/CTBN nanocomposites. Finally thermal degradation studies were performed to evaluate the thermal stability of the ternary nanocomposites.

Tensile behavior of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) fibers

The objective of this study is to characterize the tensile properties of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) technical fibers to be used as potential reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. Single fiber tensile tests were performed at three gage lengths to assess the effect of gage length on tensile strength and Young’s modulus. The results were analyzed through a two-parameter Weibull distribution. The morphology, diameter, and fracture modes of P. tenax fibers were also characterized through optical and scanning electron microscopy.

Thermal degradation and fire resistance of epoxy-amine-phenolic blends

The effects of the addition of different epoxy resins on the thermal stability of phenolic resolees are reported. Blends of phenolic resins with different compositions of epoxy resins, cured with amine hardeners, were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry to determine their thermal stability and fire resistance. The thermal degradation of phenolic resolees is characterized by a complex mechanism with at least two different processes which lead to the production of a stable and resistant char structure. On the other hand, the epoxy resins studied, either aliphatic or aromatic, degrade in a single step. The results demonstrate that the epoxy–amine content should be kept under 15 wt.% to avoid a significant reduction of the thermal stability of the blend. However, blending with epoxy–amines is a suitable route to improve the mechanical properties of phenolic resins or to reduce the cure temperature.