Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites
The performance of henequen fibers and polypropylene composites obtained by injection molding with and without coupling agent was evaluated. Henequen fibers are natural non-wood fibers mainly used in textile sector or in thermosetting matrix composites. In this work, henequen fibers have been used a...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/4890 |
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| author | Francesc Xavier Espinach Fernando Julian Manel Alcalà Fabiola Vilaseca Félix Carrasco Pere Mutjé |
| author_facet | Francesc Xavier Espinach Fernando Julian Manel Alcalà Fabiola Vilaseca Félix Carrasco Pere Mutjé |
| author_sort | Francesc Xavier Espinach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The performance of henequen fibers and polypropylene composites obtained by injection molding with and without coupling agent was evaluated. Henequen fibers are natural non-wood fibers mainly used in textile sector or in thermosetting matrix composites. In this work, henequen fibers have been used as a possible substitute reinforcement material for sized glass fibers. The surface charge density of the materials used was evaluated, as well as the morphology of the fibers inside the material. A significant reduction in the length of the fibers was observed as a consequence of the processing. The use of a 4% coupling agent based on fiber content was found to be effective in achieving significant improvements in the tensile strength of the composites in the reinforcement range studied. The influence of the aspect ratio on the coupling factor was determined, as well as the evaluation of the interface quality. The results obtained demonstrate the great potential of henequen fibers as reinforcement of composite materials, giving rise to strong interfaces with coupling. Finally, the comparison of henequen fiber composites with sized glass fiber composites showed that it is possible to substitute polypropylene composites with 20 wt.% glass fiber for 50 wt.% henequen fibers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:02:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-309b7a34339743a0badd6e87a430c918 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:02:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-309b7a34339743a0badd6e87a430c9182023-11-24T09:42:40ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-11-011422489010.3390/polym14224890Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP CompositesFrancesc Xavier Espinach0Fernando Julian1Manel Alcalà2Fabiola Vilaseca3Félix Carrasco4Pere Mutjé5LEPAMAP-PRODIS Research Group, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, SpainLEPAMAP-PRODIS Research Group, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, SpainLEPAMAP-PRODIS Research Group, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, SpainAdvanced Biomaterials and Nanotechnology, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, SpainLEPAMAP-PRODIS Research Group, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003 Girona, SpainThe performance of henequen fibers and polypropylene composites obtained by injection molding with and without coupling agent was evaluated. Henequen fibers are natural non-wood fibers mainly used in textile sector or in thermosetting matrix composites. In this work, henequen fibers have been used as a possible substitute reinforcement material for sized glass fibers. The surface charge density of the materials used was evaluated, as well as the morphology of the fibers inside the material. A significant reduction in the length of the fibers was observed as a consequence of the processing. The use of a 4% coupling agent based on fiber content was found to be effective in achieving significant improvements in the tensile strength of the composites in the reinforcement range studied. The influence of the aspect ratio on the coupling factor was determined, as well as the evaluation of the interface quality. The results obtained demonstrate the great potential of henequen fibers as reinforcement of composite materials, giving rise to strong interfaces with coupling. Finally, the comparison of henequen fiber composites with sized glass fiber composites showed that it is possible to substitute polypropylene composites with 20 wt.% glass fiber for 50 wt.% henequen fibers.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/4890henequenpolypropylenecompositestensile strengthmicromechanical analysis |
| spellingShingle | Francesc Xavier Espinach Fernando Julian Manel Alcalà Fabiola Vilaseca Félix Carrasco Pere Mutjé Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites Polymers henequen polypropylene composites tensile strength micromechanical analysis |
| title | Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites |
| title_full | Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites |
| title_fullStr | Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites |
| title_short | Effective Tensile Strength Estimation of Natural Fibers through Micromechanical Models: The Case of Henequen Fiber Reinforced-PP Composites |
| title_sort | effective tensile strength estimation of natural fibers through micromechanical models the case of henequen fiber reinforced pp composites |
| topic | henequen polypropylene composites tensile strength micromechanical analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/22/4890 |
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