Characterisation of Hemp Fibres Reinforced Composites Using Thermoplastic Polymers as Matrices

Abstract

Hemp fibres used as a reinforcing agent and three polymeric matrices (polypropylene, bicomponent, recycled polyester) were used to obtain composite materials by needle punching and heat pressing. The influence of the hemp/matrix ratio and the nature of the matrix on the properties of the composites were analysed. The obtained composites were characterised by physical–mechanical indices, thermal analysis (thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Chromatic measurements. The mechanical properties of composites are influenced by both the hemp/matrix ratio and the nature of the matrix. The thermal stability of composites decreased as the amount of hemp increased (for the same mass losses, the decomposition temperature decreased significantly for composites containing a quantity of hemp greater than 50%). Regarding the nature of the matrix, for the same mass loss, the highest decomposition temperature was presented by the composites containing recycled polyester as matrix, and the lowest one was presented by composites containing polypropylene fibres as matrix. The FTIR and SEM analyses highlight the changes that occurred in the structure of the composite, changes determined both by the amount of hemp in the composite and by the nature of the matrix.

Synergistic effect of alkali and silane treatment on mechanical, flammability, and thermal degradation of hemp fiber/epoxy composite

“…[ 41 ] The onset temperature of hemp fiber epoxy composites ranged between 313 to 326°C, and offset temperature varied from 411 to 431°C. [ 42,43 ]…”

“…The reason for the early degradation of prepared composites is the presence of hemicellulose and lignin of fiber. [41] The onset temperature of hemp fiber epoxy composites ranged between 313 to 326 C, and offset temperature varied from 411 to 431 C. [42,43] The onset temperature for neat epoxy resin starts from 338 C, and weight loss during this stage is about 80.66% because of the dilapidation of polymer chains of neat epoxy resin. It was found that hemp fiber/epoxy composites have lower onset and endset temperatures than neat epoxy resins, which suggests they are less thermally stable.…”

A review on engineering biocomposites and natural fiber-reinforced materials

“…They have concluded that 50 % by weight is the optimal value for hemp fiber-reinforced PP felts. The studies of Shahzad [30] and Stelea et al [31] have also focused on the characterization of hemp-PP felts by testing them as plates. Chen et al [32] have compared the mechanical performance of hemp-PP non-woven to bagasse-PP, kenaf -PP, and ramie-PP non-wovens.…”

Research on Void Dynamics during In Situ Consolidation of CF/High-Performance Thermoplastic Composite

“…The thermoplastic composite has outstanding characteristics, which are different from the traditional thermosetting composite, such as high toughness, high strength, fast forming, and recyclability [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. It is a new type of composite material with high performance, low cost, and environmental protection and becomes an ideal material for civil aircraft structure components manufacturing, which can reduce weight effectively and improve processing efficiency [ 19 , 20 ].…”